Death Toll Tops 1,400 After Devastating Venezuela Earthquakes

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has surged to more than 1,400, as rescue crews continue searching for survivors across the disaster zone.Officials say at least 3,000 people have been injured, while tens of thousands remain missing. The disaster has triggered growing frustration among residents, with some families accusing the government of not doing enough to locate loved ones trapped beneath the rubble.In some of the hardest-hit areas, desperate relatives have taken rescue efforts into their own hands, using basic tools like shovels and pickaxes to dig through collapsed buildings.Satellite images show widespread destruction, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. One coastal city near the epicenter has been sealed off by the military because of unstable conditions.Hundreds of aftershocks have rattled the country since the initial quake struck Wednesday, complicating recovery efforts and raising fears of further collapse.Technology may have helped save lives. Google says its earthquake alert system sent warnings to more than 11 million Android users in the seconds before the ground began shaking.Despite the devastation, rescue teams have found signs of hope. A 15-year-old girl and an elderly woman were both pulled alive from the rubble in separate rescues.More than 2,000 first responders from around the world, including teams from the United States, are now on the ground in Venezuela as humanitarian aid continues pouring in. For more Coachella Valley News visit NBCPalmSprings.com