Rescue teams from Venezuela and around the world continued searching for survivors on Sunday, four days after two powerful earthquakes devastated the northern state of La Guaira, as the death toll climbed to 1,450. Get today's headlines by email Thousands of people also remain missing, according to several databases being used by families trying to locate loved ones, while hopes of finding more survivors fade with each passing day. Search Continues Despite Dwindling OddsEmergency crews pressed on with rescue efforts despite the passing of the critical 48- to 72-hour window that aid agencies consider the best chance of finding people alive after a major disaster. Authorities said survival remains possible if those trapped have access to food and water. On Sunday morning, rescue workers from the United States and France pulled a man and his son from the ruins of a collapsed building. Covered in dust, the pair were carried on a black tarp to an ambulance and given intravenous fluids as crowds gathered to watch. The United Nations said more than 2,200 rescue workers from around the world had arrived by Saturday, with additional teams continuing to reach the disaster zone. Civilian volunteer Jason Mercano, who had been communicating with relatives trapped beneath the rubble through social media, said rescuers remained determined. "It's been incredibly hard work, but we're going strong," he said. "We've never given up hope." Criticism of Government ResponseThe disaster has sparked growing criticism of the Venezuelan government, with many residents saying rescue operations were initially led largely by civilians rather than state authorities. President Delcy Rodríguez's government said more than 14,000 military personnel and police officers were patrolling La Guaira, where access has been restricted and entry now requires special permits. Officials also reported that more than 770 buildings had collapsed or suffered damage in the earthquakes, roughly double the number previously reported on Friday. The earthquakes present a major challenge for Rodríguez, who assumed office in January following the U.S. capture and removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela has struggled with prolonged economic difficulties for more than a decade, and many citizens continue to question the legitimacy of the political movement Rodríguez represents. Destruction and International AidScenes across La Guaira reflected the scale of the devastation. Families searched through the remains of collapsed buildings, calling out the names of missing relatives in the hope of hearing a response. As temperatures remained high, many residents wore face masks because of the smell of decomposing bodies. Elsewhere, recovery teams loaded victims onto trucks from a hospital parking area where bodies were being identified. Many rescuers worked with limited equipment, wearing motorcycle helmets instead of proper protective gear as they searched unstable piles of debris. Frustration also boiled over at one rescue site, where residents prevented an excavator from leaving after accusing government workers of taking photographs at the scene without helping with recovery efforts. The International Organization for Migration estimated that more than six million people could be affected by the disaster, including around two million residents of the capital, Caracas. Experts said the extensive damage was intensified because the two shallow earthquakes struck in quick succession. Smaller aftershocks have continued to shake Caracas and surrounding areas, including a magnitude 4.8 tremor on Saturday. International rescue teams and aid supplies continued arriving from countries including Mexico, the United States, Brazil, El Salvador and France. Hope Amid the TragedyDespite the widespread destruction, occasional rescues have kept hope alive for families waiting at disaster sites. Yonahí Regalado said she spent hours calling the names of her sister and one-year-old nephew until international rescue teams reached the area. "It doesn't matter who it is, whoever, whether it's family or somebody else. If there is anyone alive, let's get them out," she said. Small acts of compassion also emerged during the crisis. In one widely shared video, a Venezuelan rescuer comforted an elderly woman trapped beneath debris, reassuring her that he would remain beside her if the unstable structure collapsed. Meanwhile, Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves Caracas, suffered significant damage. One runway has reopened while U.S. teams continue repair work to restore the airport's operations, according to Jeremy Lewin, a senior U.S. State Department official overseeing foreign assistance. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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