Venezuela earthquake death toll nears 3,000

The death toll from last week‍‍`s twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 2,954, while at least 16,592 people have been injured, authorities said on Saturday as rescue efforts continued across the hardest-hit regions.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said search-and-rescue teams have pulled 6,462 people to safety from affected areas, including the central states of Aragua, Miranda and La Guaira, as well as the western states of Carabobo, Yaracuy and Falcon.

He said the disaster has left 16,209 people homeless. Officials have also reported damage to 856 buildings, with 190 of them collapsing.

To support those displaced by the earthquakes, authorities have set up 80 temporary shelters across the affected regions.

According to the latest official figures, 29,567 rescue personnel, including 3,281 members of international emergency teams, remain involved in ongoing search operations.

Officials also said Venezuela has experienced 942 aftershocks since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the country on June 24.