NEIGHBOURS helped each other dig through rubble to search for loved ones in cities across northern Venezuela today, after back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 589 people and left thousands injured.

Acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced the new death toll today while welcoming the arrival of rescue crews from all over the world.

“We are going to rescue the people who are trapped,” she said. “We are working tirelessly on this task.”

The number of casualties is expected to climb, with thousands reported missing and frantic rescue efforts continuing.

In Britain, Labour MP Richard Burgon urged the government to send search-and-rescue teams and emergency relief to the country, and to return its stolen gold.

“The scale of the destruction means that the cost of reconstruction will be immense,” he wrote in a letter to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper which was shared on social media.

“As Venezuela begins the long process of rebuilding, I urge the UK government not to continue withholding Venezuela’s gold reserves held at the Bank of England.

“At the time of such profound human suffering, every available resource should be directed towards humanitarian relief and reconstruction.”