The death toll resulting from the destructive earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,430 as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors before the crucial 72-hour window elapses.

According to top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez, a further 3,238 individuals are wounded, and 3,142 have been displaced by the calamity, as reported on state television. Rodriguez, the sibling of acting president Delcy Rodriguez, characterized the event as the most catastrophic occurrence the nation has faced in over a century.

The twin earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on June 24, occurring less than a minute apart, with the second tremor being the most potent to hit the country in many years. The disaster has left more than 50,000 people unaccounted for, and the US Geological Survey estimates the potential death toll could reach up to 10,000.

Following the powerful sequence of two quakes striking back-to-back within 39 seconds, over 250 structures collapsed, trapping numerous individuals under debris. Search and rescue teams are tirelessly scouring the wreckage for signs of life, with some families still hopeful of finding their loved ones alive.

Among the incredible stories of survival is the rescue of an 18-day-old infant from the rubble in La Guaira, while another baby was born beneath the ruins of a collapsed building. Video footage captured the dramatic moment when a woman gave birth to a baby in the dark, with bystanders aiding the exhausted mother.

The initial quake’s epicenter was in the state of Yaracuy, where the rocky terrain mitigated the immediate impact. The seismic waves then propagated towards La Guaira, a coastal city where entire streets were devastated.

To support the rescue operations, military teams from the US and Spain have been mobilized. The US government has committed $150 million (£110 million) in aid and dispatched warships, aircraft, and helicopters for assistance.

In a social media post, President Donald Trump expressed readiness to assist, instructing government agencies to expedite their response. The US Treasury Department has temporarily lifted sanctions to facilitate financial transactions related to earthquake relief efforts by Venezuela’s government.

King Charles and Queen Camilla extended their sympathies to the people of Venezuela, acknowledging the tragic loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquakes.

For timely news updates, consider selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.