In pictures: Race against time to rescue Venezuela earthquake survivors

Time is running out in Venezuela’s race to locate survivors as experts highlight the crucial 72-hour rescue window.

Rescue crews and volunteers have clawed through the rubble of collapsed buildings, racing to find survivors 72 hours after twin earthquakes tore through Venezuela, killing at least 1,430 people and leaving tens of thousands missing.

Experts said the first three days after such disasters are a critical window to locate people alive beneath the debris. That window ends on Sunday. “It’s just very chaotic, hot and unorganised,” said Australian firefighter Craig Demeillon, 43, who travelled alone from Miami, Florida, to La Guaira, the hardest hit area, to help. “Hopefully, there’s more people to find.”

In one of the most striking rescues, residents in the coastal area pulled a newborn alive from the ruins on Friday, about 32 hours after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors on Thursday. A man was seen in a widely shared social media video crying as he cradled the baby.

The search effort has been hampered by restricted access to La Guaira state and the requirement that volunteers obtain safe-entry passes. “You need a permit to save lives. Just imagine,” would-be rescuer Carlos Itriago, 27, said while waiting in line for permission to enter the disaster zone. “How many lives have we already lost by now?”

The first United States military aid flights have landed in Caracas, and a naval ship is offshore as foreign search and rescue teams arrive with dogs and specialised equipment.

The United Nations says up to 6.76 million people may need shelter, safe water and medical care, warning the death toll and the number of bodies recovered are likely to keep rising as the rescue phase gives way to grim recovery.

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on Thursday, leaving at least 1,430 dead and tens of thousands missing. Rescue operations are proceeding under time pressure: survival rates drop significantly after 72 hours in collapsed structures. A newborn was recovered alive roughly 32 hours post-quake. Administrative access restrictions to the hardest-hit La Guaira area require permits, creating delays in volunteer deployment. International assistance has begun arriving, including US military support and foreign rescue teams with dogs and equipment. The UN estimates up to 6.76 million people may require shelter, water and medical assistance as operations transition from rescue to recovery.

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

Time is running out in Venezuela’s race to locate survivors as experts highlight the crucial 72-hour rescue window.

Rescue crews and volunteers have clawed through the rubble of collapsed buildings, racing to find survivors 72 hours after twin earthquakes tore through Venezuela, killing at least 1,430 people and leaving tens of thousands missing.

Experts said the first three days after such disasters are a critical window to locate people alive beneath the debris. That window ends on Sunday. “It’s just very chaotic, hot and unorganised,” said Australian firefighter Craig Demeillon, 43, who travelled alone from Miami, Florida, to La Guaira, the hardest hit area, to help. “Hopefully, there’s more people to find.”

In one of the most striking rescues, residents in the coastal area pulled a newborn alive from the ruins on Friday, about 32 hours after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors on Thursday. A man was seen in a widely shared social media video crying as he cradled the baby.

The search effort has been hampered by restricted access to La Guaira state and the requirement that volunteers obtain safe-entry passes. “You need a permit to save lives. Just imagine,” would-be rescuer Carlos Itriago, 27, said while waiting in line for permission to enter the disaster zone. “How many lives have we already lost by now?”

The first United States military aid flights have landed in Caracas, and a naval ship is offshore as foreign search and rescue teams arrive with dogs and specialised equipment.

The United Nations says up to 6.76 million people may need shelter, safe water and medical care, warning the death toll and the number of bodies recovered are likely to keep rising as the rescue phase gives way to grim recovery.

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

Twin earthquakes with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Thursday At least 1,430 people have been killed Tens of thousands are missing The first 72 hours after such disasters are critical for locating survivors alive A newborn was pulled alive from ruins approximately 32 hours after the earthquakes Access to La Guaira requires permits that have slowed volunteer entry US military aid flights have landed in Caracas and a naval ship is offshore Foreign search and rescue teams with dogs and specialised equipment are arriving The UN estimates up to 6.76 million people may need shelter, water and medical care The 72-hour window represents a "race against time" The rescue effort is "very chaotic, hot and unorganised" Permit requirements represent an impediment to saving lives

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

• Twin earthquakes (magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5) struck Venezuela on Thursday, killing at least 1,430 people with tens of thousands missing
• Rescue crews have 72 hours from initial impact to locate survivors alive in rubble; this window closes on Sunday
• A newborn was pulled alive from ruins approximately 32 hours after the quakes in one documented rescue
• Administrative restrictions requiring permits for entry to La Guaira have slowed volunteer rescue efforts
• International aid including US military flights and foreign search teams with specialised equipment have begun arriving