Venezuela's confirmed death toll from last week's twin earthquakes rose to 1,719 as rescue teams continued searching for thousands of people believed to be missing or trapped under collapsed buildings, reports AP/ Reuters/ Al Jazeera.
National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday that 5,034 people had been injured and 15,866 left homeless after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the country's northwest.
A magnitude 4.6 aftershock struck northern Venezuela on Monday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), but authorities reported no immediate additional damage.
"Here we are again, back in the street. I don't know when we'll have a moment of true peace," Caracas resident Concepcion Hernandez told the Associated Press after evacuating her apartment following the latest tremor.
Rescue operations remained focused on the northern port city of La Guaira, the area worst affected by the disaster. About 30,000 Venezuelan emergency workers and 2,700 international rescue personnel were taking part in the search.
Although the critical 72-hour rescue window has passed, officials said operations would continue after several survivors were pulled from the rubble on Sunday.
"Today we have recovered people alive and, therefore, operations are not being suspended. We always maintain hope," interim President Delcy Rodriguez said.
Authorities said 24 countries had sent more than 500 tonnes of relief supplies, 2,700 rescue and support personnel, and 86 search-and-rescue dog teams.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said 21-year-old Aaron Levi was rescued alive from a collapsed building in La Guaira through a joint operation involving Venezuelan, Mexican and Salvadoran rescue teams. Venezuelan officials said Levi had spent 106 hours trapped beneath the rubble.
Aid, including food and water, has begun reaching the hardest-hit areas, where many survivors remain camped outdoors as recovery efforts continue.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
