Death toll climbs as thousands remain missing

At least 920 people have died and more than 3300 have been injured following twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Thursday. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes were centred near Moron on the Caribbean coast, roughly 170 kilometres west of Caracas.

Thousands of people remain unaccounted for as families search through collapsed buildings across northern Venezuela. La Guaira state, directly north of the capital, experienced some of the worst destruction.

The International Organisation for Migration estimates that as many as 6.76 million people in Venezuela could be affected, including around 2 million in Caracas alone.

Citizens mount own rescue operations

Residents are digging through debris with shovels, picks and their hands, often with little or no professional equipment. In areas that sustained the heaviest damage, residents report they have seen few state rescue teams despite government statements describing a full-scale response.

Nazareth Jimenez waited in La Guaira for news of siblings, nephews, nieces and friends trapped beneath rubble. "We're making a call for help to governments of countries across the world," she said.

Omar Reyes searched the ruins of his home, calling out for his wife and children with no answer. Around 20 of his family members died in the disaster, and two of his four children remain buried in debris.

Families continued sleeping on streets as of Saturday, with some converting a pharmacy car park into an improvised camp using tarps, hammocks and tents.

Survival window narrowing

Aid agencies say the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster are crucial for finding survivors. Nearly two days had elapsed by Saturday.

Venezuelan authorities have rescued 243 people as of Saturday. A young man named Leandro was carried from wreckage on a stretcher in Caracas to applause from onlookers as his mother called out her love. A girl was pulled from a collapsed 10-storey building in La Guaira, emerging covered in dust.

José Luis Núñez, head of the Caracas metropolitan rescue team, praised the rescued girl's determination.

Loyce Pace, International Red Cross regional director for the Americas, said "people are still terrified to reenter what were their homes".

Government pledges full response

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who took office in January following the US capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro, said the government was working to mount a full response and welcomed international aid.

Authorities have provided food and water to survivors in La Guaira. The area has been placed under military control with additional support expected. In Catia La Mar, residents swarmed a civilian truck handing out bread and water, requiring military intervention.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said "each person saved is a miracle. We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy."

But residents say the aid represents only a fraction of what is needed. Venezuela has faced economic disarray for more than a decade.

International teams arriving

More than two dozen international rescue teams have arrived or are due to arrive. As of Friday, 861 international volunteers from Mexico, the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia and other nations were working in Venezuela.

The United Nations reported that 1000 emergency responders in 25 search-and-rescue teams from around the globe were en route.

State forces, emergency personnel, dump trucks and heavy machinery travelled along the main highway toward affected areas. The government diverted emergency services to La Guaira state, including 45 firefighters from Tachira state.

Firefighting Gen. Antonio Briceño said the team was bringing shovels, picks, hydraulic tools and drinking water.

The US Treasury waived sanctions until 23 October to permit earthquake relief transactions that would otherwise be prohibited.

Geophysicist Marcos Ferreira of the Geological Survey of Brazil said the combination of two quakes and shallow seismic movements amplified the destruction. Buildings collapsed across the region, with furniture hanging from windows and helicopters circling overhead.