Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 1,400 as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Venezuela's death toll from devastating twin earthquakes has climbed above 1,400, as foreign rescue teams arrive and authorities continue the search for survivors in hard-hit coastal regions.

Rescuers are fanning out across La Guaira and parts of Caracas, where families and volunteers have been digging through rubble for days. Reports from residents indicate a struggle with scant heavy equipment and a limited official presence in the search for missing relatives.

More than 1,600 foreign rescuers have arrived in the country, with additional teams en route, bolstering the international response to the quakes that struck on Wednesday. In La Guaira, a popular beach destination, residents have been digging by hand in search of loved ones.

Top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez announced the updated death toll of 1,430, adding that thousands were injured and families had been moved to shelters. Aid is being distributed across disaster zones, particularly in La Guaira. Frequent aftershocks continue to be monitored, complicating rescue efforts in unstable conditions.

Authorities have imposed access restrictions to La Guaira and controls on the main road from Caracas, prioritizing emergency vehicles. Power restoration is underway, though Venezuela's grid faces regular issues due to underinvestment and sanctions. Meanwhile, an opposition-promoted website lists over 55,000 people as unaccounted for, a stark contrast to the government's figures.

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