Venezuela's government said Saturday that 1,600 members of foreign rescue teams arrived to help search for survivors of the devastating twin earthquakes as the death toll rose above 900.
Earthquakes of estimated magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, toppling buildings and severely damaging the country’s main international airport.
The government said 172 people remained trapped, 920 were dead and 3,360 injured after the quakes devastated parts of Caracas and surrounding areas on Wednesday evening. More than 50,000 people were reported missing. The ground shook once again on Friday afternoon - a weaker tremor of magnitude 4.9 that was felt in the capital Caracas and nearby Maracay.
Foreign rescue teams arrive
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in an overnight address on state television that 10 more countries were still to join rescue efforts and 14,000 military and police members were in La Guaira to patrol and take sanitary measures.
"In recent hours, Venezuela has received 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 members of rescue teams, and over the next 24 hours, the arrival of 25 additional flights is expected," said foreign ministry official Oliver Blanco.
Many places were experiencing a loss of electricity, water and gas supplies amid continued aftershocks. Venezuela’s oil facilities, however, appeared to be functioning normally, although one loading terminal near the epicentre was damaged.
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The search and rescue operation continues after Venezuela was hit by two strong earthquakes last week. Here, a person is pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Caraballeda, La Guaira. AFP -
Collapsed buildings in Caraballeda, La Guaira. AFP -
A damaged apartment building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira. AFP -
The search for bodies at the site of a collapsed building in Caraballeda in La Guaira. AFP -
Emergency responders search for bodies in the debris of a building in Caraballeda city after two earthquakes struck Venezuela and other parts the Caribbean. Getty Images -
Venezuela's government said 1,600 members of foreign rescue teams arrived to help search for survivors of the disaster. Reuters -
The government confirmed hundreds of bodies had been recovered and efforts were continuing. EPA -
Rescuers from El Salvador search for people trapped in the rubble of a building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira, after two deadly earthquakes struck Venezuela. Getty Images -
Family members react as firefighters and volunteers search for their loved ones in the rubble in La Guaira. Tens of thousands of people have been reported missing since the quakes hit Venezuela on June 24. Reuters -
Destroyed buildings in Catia La Mar after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck, followed by a 7.5-magnitude aftershock less than a minute later. Getty Images -
A dog handler from El Salvador's rescue team during the search for survivors in La Guaira. The quakes killed hundreds of people and left thousands injured. Reuters -
The searches continued through the night. Reuters -
Damaged buildings in Catia La Mar. The La Guaira region, north of the capital Caracas, has been hardest hit. Getty Images -
A firefighter shouts through a pipe to people trapped under a collapsed building in La Guaira. Reuters -
A Mexican Army rescue worker and his dog search the rubble of a building in La Guaira. EPA -
Two people ride a motorcycle past a heavily damaged apartment building in Catia La Mar. AFP
La Guaira, where more than 250 buildings were damaged, was declared a disaster zone. The coastal region borders the capital Caracas and houses the Simon Bolivar International Airport, which suffered extensive damage. At least five other Venezuelan states have been affected.
Reconstruction fund
The Venezuelan government is to create an initial $200 million reconstruction fund using International Monetary Fund resources to finance repairs to infrastructure, hospitals and housing, Ms Rodriguez said on state TV. Officials are also discussing an additional fund to support victims, while public and private banks are to activate special credit lines for people who lost businesses or jobs.
The disaster also poses a new challenge for Ms Rodriguez, who took the reins of a deeply unpopular government after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro at the start of the year. Venezuela’s political opposition has set up a website to track missing people in parallel with government efforts, while calling for the release of political prisoners for their safety.
A UN report estimated direct damage from the two quakes at about $6.7 billion. The second earthquake was Venezuela's most powerful in more than a century.
