Venezuela quake death toll nears 3,000 as rescue effort winds down

The death toll from last week's devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 2,954, as hopes of finding more survivors continue to fade.

According to the country's Ministry of Communication, more than 16,500 people have been injured, while over 16,000 residents have been left homeless. Authorities say at least 856 buildings have been damaged.

International search and rescue teams are now preparing to leave the country after days of searching through collapsed buildings, as emergency operations move from rescue to recovery.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast on June 24, causing widespread destruction, particularly in La Guaira state, north of Caracas.

Despite the scale of the response, survivors and volunteers have criticised what they describe as delays in the official relief effort, with many saying civilian rescuers played a crucial role in saving lives during the first days after the disaster.