THE death toll in the Venezuelan earthquakes rose sharply on Sunday to at least 1,430 with more than 68,900 reported as still missing.

Desperation grew in Venezuela’s state of La Guaira as rescuers and civilians continued the search on Sunday for more survivors of the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.

Venezuelans called out for loved ones and neighbours used shovels, heavy equipment, ropes and bare hands atop mounds of toppled concrete throughout La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit states. 

They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams who began to climb through the rubble, offering a small glint of hope to anguished families.

Venezuelan officials said 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 rescue team members had touched down by Saturday.

“There’s a pile of bodies over there from last night. Newborn babies,” said Mileidy Romero, who was among those searching in the seaside town of Caraballeada. 

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on national television that more than 14,000 members of the military and police are patrolling the area, where access is now blocked and special permits are required to enter. 

Some people climbed the remnants of buildings and cried out names, hoping for any proof of life.

In punishing heat, more people wore masks as the stench of decomposition spread. 

In other parts of La Guaira, teams loaded stacks of bodies — some in white bags, others naked — onto white trucks from the ground of a dirt hospital parking lot, where they were being identified.

Without hard hats or other gear, rescuers and civilians instead wore motorcycle helmets as they searched piles of debris that were once people’s belongings.

The International Organisation for Migration said that more than six million people could be affected, some two million in the capital, Caracas, alone.

Experts said the destruction was amplified by the quick succession of shallow quakes. 

For days, smaller aftershocks occasionally shook the capital, Caracas and areas hit by the quakes, including one measuring 4.8 on Saturday.

Search teams and foreign aid continued to arrive from Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, France and elsewhere.

On Saturday, Mexican rescue teams climbed over collapsed buildings and pushed their heads into holes in the concrete to search for signs of life, occasionally hearing movement.

“We’re rescuers from the Mexican military, if there’s anyone down there still alive, make noise or scream. Now!” one man shouted.