The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has risen sharply to 1,430, with approximately 50,000 people still reported missing.
Rescue teams are continuing to dig through rubble in cities across the northern region, where back-to-back seismic events have caused widespread destruction and left thousands injured.
A security guard, Hernan Gil, was rescued after being buried alive for eight days in the basement of a collapsed building.
His survival story has emerged as a symbol of hope amid the devastation, highlighting the desperate conditions faced by those trapped under debris.
Gil recounted enduring darkness and aftershocks before his miraculous rescue.
The disaster has strained Venezuela's emergency response capabilities, prompting neighbors to help each other search for loved ones.