CARACAS: The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 2,954, as rescue teams continue searching for survivors beneath the rubble in the country’s devastated coastal regions.
Authorities said thousands of people have been injured, while tens of thousands remain unaccounted for following the powerful earthquakes that hit the country on June 24, causing widespread destruction across La Guaira and parts of Caracas.
What challenges are rescue teams facing?
Search and rescue operations remain underway with the support of both Venezuelan and international emergency teams, although hopes of finding more survivors are fading as time passes.
Rescuers continue to face damaged infrastructure, unstable buildings and limited heavy equipment, while many local volunteers have joined recovery efforts to search collapsed structures.
How severe is the humanitarian crisis?
The earthquakes have displaced more than 16,000 people, with many families now living in temporary shelters after losing their homes.
Aid organisations have established field hospitals and emergency relief centres to provide medical treatment, food and shelter as authorities work to restore essential services in the affected areas.
What concerns have survivors raised?
Survivors and volunteers have described delays in the delivery of aid and shortages of heavy rescue equipment needed to clear collapsed buildings.
Many residents say civilian volunteers have carried out much of the initial rescue work, while international humanitarian organisations continue to expand relief operations across the hardest-hit communities.
What is the outlook for recovery efforts?
Authorities have warned that the number of casualties could continue to rise as search teams reach previously inaccessible areas and identify more victims.
Emergency operations remain focused on locating survivors, assisting displaced families and restoring critical infrastructure as Venezuela confronts one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.