Venezuela death toll reaches 1,430

AI Summary

Venezuela suffered a major earthquake resulting in over 1,430 confirmed deaths with thousands missing. The UN reports nearly seven million affected people requiring urgent aid including shelter and clean water.

More than three days after Venezuela was struck by its most powerful earthquake in over a century, hopes of finding survivors are fading. Experts say the first 72 hours are critical for rescues, after which the operation increasingly becomes one of recovering bodies. The confirmed death toll has climbed to 1,430 and continues to rise by the hundreds, while tens of thousands of people remain missing. The UN's migration agency estimates that nearly seven million people were affected by Wednesday's twin earthquakes and are in need of shelter, clean water and other essential aid. Yinka Oyetade reports.