Venezuela quake death toll nears 3,000 as rescue efforts wind down

Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes have resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for, according to official figures. International rescue teams are beginning to scale back their operations, ten days after the powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors struck.

The disaster hit hardest in the coastal La Guaira region, north of the capital Caracas, where numerous residential buildings were reduced to rubble. While the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors has passed, some individuals have been found alive this week. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez presided over a ceremony to honor international rescue teams, acknowledging the profound grief gripping the nation.

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We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going. It hasn't been easy.

Rescue operations are concluding, with teams from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and squads from Florida and Virginia preparing to depart after finding no signs of life. Many Venezuelans have voiced frustration over the government's perceived slow response, with some families resorting to digging through rubble themselves before international aid arrived. Rodriguez has defended the government's efforts, stating that thousands of troops and officials were deployed.

In La Guaira, workers are beginning to demolish collapsed structures, while families continue to search for the bodies of loved ones. Over 16,000 Venezuelans are now homeless, and hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, raising concerns about potential disease outbreaks. For some, like Víctor Colivert, the immediate priority is securing the body of a recovered nephew amidst the chaos.

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Venezuela is experiencing 'a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything.'