Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes tops 4,500

Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes tops 4,500

The death toll from the massive earthquakes in Venezuela last month has surpassed 4,500 as search operations continue.

Venezuelan authorities say 4,561 people have been confirmed dead since two earthquakes hit the Latin American nation on June 24.

In the coastal state of La Guaira, where the damage is concentrated, the number of buildings that were completely destroyed or heavily damaged and rendered unusable is estimated at around 10,000.

The Venezuelan government has not disclosed the number of people who remain unaccounted for.

The government's team and local residents have been searching for the missing people. But such efforts have been hampered by a shortage of heavy machinery and occasional heavy rain.