Toll from Venezuelan quakes climbs to more than 4000

A family searches the debris of a collapsed building in La Guaira
Two and a half weeks after the twin quakes, there's little hope of finding any more survivors. -AP

Some two and a half weeks after twin devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, the official death toll has passed the 4000 mark.

A total of 4118 people were killed in the disaster, Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez said on X on Saturday. 

Rodríguez, who is also the brother of Delcy Rodríguez, the acting head of government, said 16,740 people were injured. Almost 18,000 people lost their homes in the catastrophe. 

Two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 respectively shook Venezuela on June 24. More than 1,000 significantly weaker aftershocks have followed. 

Many buildings lie in ruins, especially in La Guaira, a coastal city near Caracas. According to experts, it is extremely unlikely that any survivors will still be recovered. 

Rescue workers are now focusing on clearing rubble and caring for those affected.