Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 1,719 as rescue efforts continue

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan authorities said the death toll from powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday has climbed to 1,719, with injuries reported at 5,034. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez had announced on Sunday that 1,430 people had been killed and 3,238 injured. Search and rescue operations are continuing in several areas, with new aid teams arriving daily from countries around the world. Officials have said that equipment and personnel remain insufficient to search for victims believed to still be trapped under rubble. A 4.6-magnitude aftershock was recorded off the coast of Caracas on Monday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said no new damage reports had been received following the widely felt aftershock. Venezuela's Earthquake Research Foundation has reported hundreds of aftershocks following the two initial quakes, measured at magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, with the vast majority registering below magnitude 3.