Venezuelans are continuing their efforts to search for survivors in collapsed buildings on Thursday as rescue teams rush to northern areas hit by two major earthquakes.
Officials in Venezuela have stated that the death toll has reached 255 people, and more than 4,300 have been injured. The number of dead and injured is expected to rise, with thousands reported missing after two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck on Wednesday evening. These are among the most powerful earthquakes witnessed in Venezuela in over a century. Thousands of people remain unaccounted for, and residents have been evacuated from buildings.
In a move to assist with the disaster, the U.S. Department of the Treasury decided on Thursday to lift several sanctions until October 23 to allow transactions related to disaster relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited.
Meanwhile, in towns across northern Venezuela, panicked residents poured into the streets to search for the missing amid the rubble. The injured were pulled from the debris covered in dust and blood, including children and animals.
