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Earthquakes in Venezuela: Death toll rises to over 1,700, but the number of missing remains huge

In the wake of two earthquakes in Venezuela, the death toll has risen to over 1,700, while approximately 50,000 people remain missing, according to the United Nations cited by France Presse. The most severely affected region is La Guaira, where around 1.2 million tons of debris have been generated. Journalists report that hundreds of corpses are stored in makeshift morgues within port warehouses located 40 kilometers from Caracas. The U.S. military has deployed 130 Marines to assist with repairs, allowing the port to resume operations and enabling humanitarian aid deliveries. A U.S. amphibious ship, the USS Fort Lauderdale, is stationed nearby, where many vacation buildings collapsed like paper houses. Drone footage from AFPTV shows entire neighborhoods where no building remained standing. Survivors express hope for finding their loved ones among the rubble, though they await more resources. The provisional death toll increased from 1,450 to 1,719, with 5,034 injured. The UN expects a very severe casualty count and plans to provide 10,000 body bags based on estimates of 2,500 damaged buildings. In Caracas, funeral homes operate at full capacity, with staff working through the night