Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 920

The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 920, with 3,360 people injured, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Friday, reported Xinhua.

Another 172 people remained trapped under debris and 3,007 had been displaced by the disaster, Rodriguez added.

The earthquakes damaged 383 buildings, including 13 hospitals and 25 commercial centers, he said. Another 1,002 facilities sustained varying degrees of damage.

As of Friday afternoon, 871 international rescue workers were assisting relief operations in the country, Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, as of midday Friday, over 50,000 people remain missing, according to a website established to receive reports of people still unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Friday that La Guaira state, which was hard hit by Wednesday's twin earthquakes, had been placed under military control to facilitate rescue efforts and ensure security.

"We want to tell everyone that La Guaira state is now fully militarized and fully under the control of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces," Rodriguez said during a televised briefing.

Rodriguez said acting president Delcy Rodriguez had ordered the measure to ensure public safety, maintain internal order and facilitate rescue operations by Venezuelan emergency responders and international rescue teams.

He said the majority of rescue personnel were operating in Caraballeda, Macuto, Los Corales and Catia La Mar -- areas that had been severely affected by the earthquakes.

Rodriguez called on the public not to travel to La Guaira to avoid congesting evacuation routes and routes used for transporting rescue teams and equipment.

He also called on Venezuelans to donate supplies including water, food, mattresses, clothing, blankets, light and heavy equipment including earthmoving machinery, through collection centers set up in Caracas.

He thanked thousands of volunteers, officials and rescue organizations for their tireless efforts to save lives and assist those affected.