Venezuela earthquake death toll nears 1,500 as rescue window closes

Key facts

• The 72-hour critical rescue window for the earthquake in Venezuela has closed.
• The death toll from the earthquake has risen to nearly 1,500.
• Tens of thousands of people are still missing.

Venezuela's critical 72-hour window for earthquake rescue efforts has passed, as the number of confirmed fatalities has climbed to nearly 1,500. Tens of thousands of individuals are still unaccounted for following the disaster. The closure of the initial rescue period marks a grim milestone in the ongoing crisis.