Key facts
- Two earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart.
- A father and son were rescued alive four days after the earthquakes.
- A 4.6-magnitude aftershock occurred north of Caracas.
- Engineers are urging the Venezuelan government to audit public housing for structural integrity.
- Decades of neglect and lack of building code enforcement are cited as factors exacerbating the disaster.
A 4.6-magnitude aftershock struck north of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, early on Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No damage was immediately reported from the tremor, which occurred as rescue teams continued their fourth day of round-the-clock work in areas affected by powerful earthquakes last week.
Residents of Caracas woke to the aftershock, which rocked their houses. Rescue efforts have been focusing particularly on La Guaira, the hardest-hit state. The twin earthquakes on Wednesday left close to 1,500 people confirmed dead and 3,150 injured.
Engineers are urging the Venezuelan government to audit state housing after earthquakes flattened developments, citing neglect and shoddy practices. A father and son were rescued alive four days after the earthquakes, offering a glimmer of hope amid ongoing search efforts. The country has been mired in a deep political and economic crisis.