Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 2,300 with 11,000 injured

The death toll from two devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to 2,300 people.

Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, revealed today that more than 11,000 people were injured in the disaster, while emergency and civil defence teams continue search-and-rescue operations amid the rubble in the affected areas to provide urgent medical care and secure shelter centres for citizens who lost their homes.

In the same context, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning for the victims, during which flags will be flown at half-mast over all government buildings and public institutions, as well as Venezuelan diplomatic missions abroad.