Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 1,450

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 1,450, while 3,150 people have been injured, France 24 reports, citing National Assembly Chairman Jorge Rodríguez.

Authorities had previously reported 1,430 fatalities.

Rodríguez said 3,150 people had been injured; however, El Comercio reported 3,238 injuries a day earlier.

The National Assembly chairman did not explain the discrepancy in the figures.

Meanwhile, 85 hours have passed since the disaster, and the rescue operation in La Guaira state, one of the hardest-hit areas, has entered a critical phase. Around 50,000 people remain missing.

Rescue teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble using search dogs and specialised equipment. More than 1,600 rescuers from several countries are taking part in the operation.

On the evening of June 24, two earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck off Venezuela's coast less than a minute apart.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov