Toll from Venezuelan quakes climbs to more than 4000

Nearly two and a half weeks after twin devastating earthquakes hit Venezuela, the official death toll has passed the 4,000 mark.

A total of 4,118 people died in the disaster, Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodríguez said on channel X on Saturday.

Rodríguez, who is also the brother of acting head of government Delcy Rodríguez, said 16,740 people were injured. Approximately 18,000 people lost their homes in the disaster.

On June 24, two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 respectively shook Venezuela. More than 1,000 significantly weaker aftershocks followed.

Many buildings are in ruins, especially in La Guaira, a coastal city near Caracas. According to experts, it is extremely unlikely that survivors will be rescued.

Rescue teams are now focusing on clearing the rubble and caring for those affected.