Nearly 3,000 killed in 'Venezuela earthquake'

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to nearly 3,000, according to official figures. International rescue teams are beginning to reduce their search operations under the rubble as the chances of finding survivors dwindle.

In La Guaira, the city most affected by the disaster located about 40 kilometers from the capital Caracas, entire residential buildings have been reduced to debris. Thousands of affected residents remain homeless, sleeping in the streets or seeking refuge in public parks.

"Our operations are still ongoing, and we are still recovering bodies from under the rubble, and we will continue to work," said Francisco Sasia, a 38-year-old volunteer rescuer and translator, speaking to AFP in front of a building in the Playa Grande neighborhood. Relatives of those trapped under the debris have resigned themselves to the use of heavy machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers, for the recovery of bodies.

“

Our operations are still ongoing, and we are still recovering bodies from under the rubble, and we will continue to work

"We families need to turn this page," said Susana Gratierol, 47, whose ten neighbors are still missing. "They will be able to find them using heavy machinery. This is the best option, because the past few days have been very hard and exhausting for us."

According to an initial toll from Venezuela's Ministry of Communications, at least 2,954 people died and 16,592 were injured in the earthquakes, considered among the strongest and most destructive in Latin America. The ministry also reported that over 16,000 people were left homeless and 856 buildings were damaged. The earthquakes, which occurred 39 seconds apart, primarily affected northern Venezuela, plunging the country into mourning and despair over the fate of missing relatives.

“

We families need to turn this page. They will be able to find them using heavy machinery. This is the best option, because the past few days have been very hard and exhausting for us.