Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 2,954 as Rescue Teams Begin Withdrawal

Venezuela's death toll from the 24 June twin earthquakes reached 2,954 as of 4 July, up more than 300 from the previous day, according to official figures. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks struck the coastal La Guaira area north of Caracas, flattening scores of residential complexes and leaving more than 16,000 people without homes.

Tens of thousands remain missing. International rescue teams began winding down operations ten days after the disaster. The Los Angeles County fire department closed its search after finding no signs of life, and teams from Florida and Virginia prepared to depart over the weekend of 4-5 July.

President Delcy Rodriguez held a ceremony to award medals to the departing teams and their dogs. "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," Rodriguez said.

In La Guaira on 4 July, heavy machinery began demolishing collapsed structures while families removed bodies for burial. Venezuelan volunteer Francisco Sasquia said his group was still searching. "We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going.

" Víctor Colivert stayed beside his nephew's body recovered from wreckage, refusing to let forensic workers take it away. Hospitals in the affected areas are stretched, with experts warning of disease outbreak risks.

Many Venezuelans have expressed anger at what they see as the government's slow response, saying families spent initial hours digging out loved ones themselves before international teams arrived. Rodriguez has defended the government's response, saying thousands of troops and officials had been dispatched.

The critical window for rescues in disasters like earthquakes usually ends after 72 hours, though a few people have been found alive this week. International disaster teams, including some U.S. squads and some South American teams, were starting to finish up rescue operations, their members said on Saturday.