Death toll in Venezuela climbs to 920 after powerful quakes, thousands reported missing

LA GUAIRA, June 27: Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands Friday in the aftermath of back-to-back earthquakes, saying they have seen few state rescue teams in the hardest-hit areas despite authorities projecting an image of a robust government response.

The apparent lack of government help compounded families’ desperation as the pressure to find buried survivors increased with each passing hour. The South American nation on Friday marked nearly two days since the disaster. Aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours to be a crucial time frame to retrieve people alive, though that period increases if they have access to food and water.