Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 1,700 as rescue window closes

Search teams continued working in Venezuela on Monday, five days after twin earthquakes hit the country. The government placed the death toll above 1,700 and said the focus had shifted toward shelter and supplies for displaced residents. Relief organizations stated that the first 72 hours after a quake are the most critical window for rescues.

Survival odds decline sharply after that period unless trapped people have access to food and water.

Government response and aid distribution Police and military personnel distributed canned tuna and crackers to displaced people in the northern state of La Guaira. Jorge Rodríguez, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, said electricity had been restored to 90 percent of the state and that 15 temporary camps had been established.

A 4.6-magnitude aftershock struck 27 kilometers north of Caraballeda on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey. No additional damage was reported, but residents in Caracas left buildings and gathered in the streets.

U.S. assistance and immigration issues A senior State Department official said 300 U.S. first responders were on the ground and that two dozen C-17 transport planes arrived daily with supplies. U.S. financial support had reached more than $300 million, and military teams were repairing the port at La Guaira and managing air traffic after damage to the control tower at Simón Bolívar International Airport.

More than 100 Venezuelans recently deported from the United States were staying at a hotel in the country when the quakes occurred; survivors said many of them are now missing. One deported miner, Jean Sosa, joined rescue efforts in La Guaira using his mining tools.

Damage assessments and missing persons The government reported that 855 buildings had been damaged or collapsed and that 15,866 people had been affected. A NASA assessment using European Space Agency satellite imagery placed the number of affected buildings at 58,870.