[Anchor]

The death toll from the series of earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 1,430. Residents are protesting fiercely, claiming that the authorities' rescue operations are too slow, and looting has been reported as the distribution of relief supplies is delayed.

Reporter Min Gyeongho has the story.

[Reporter]

On the third day since the earthquake series hit Venezuela, the total number of victims has increased to 1,430.

The number of injured stands at 3,238.

As international rescue teams continue to arrive and carry out operations, the number of casualties is rising significantly.

[Jorge Rodriguez / President of the National Assembly of Venezuela: We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the 1,430 victims. We also express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the loved ones of the victims.]

Compared to the count from yesterday, the number of deaths has increased by more than 500, while the number of injured has actually decreased.

This appears to be because some of the injured have passed away during treatment, while few survivors are being rescued. This reality underscores that the 72-hour window, considered the golden time for rescue, is rapidly closing.

The number of missing persons reported by families has reached at least 68,900.

Residents are expressing their outrage, claiming that the authorities' rescue operations are sluggish.

[Mileidy Romero / Venezuelan Resident: There were survivors down there, but they didn't even think about rescuing them. We moved some of the bodies ourselves, but they didn't even try to help with the recovery.]

However, damage to airport runways and bridges leading into the city center is hindering the arrival of relief personnel and the supply of goods.

A massive power outage occurred after power lines in the central region were severed, causing a refinery that produces 146,000 barrels per day to shut down, and the largest bulk cargo port is operating under restrictions.

Scenes of residents looting nearby shops as they fail to receive relief supplies on time have also been reported.

[Isabel Barquilla / Venezuelan Disaster Victim: We are sleeping on the streets and searching for food. We have no homes, no place to live. It is an absolute disaster.]

The UN has estimated the physical losses from this earthquake at 6.7 billion dollars, which is approximately 10.3 trillion Korean won, accounting for 6% of Venezuela's GDP.

Reported by Min Gyeongho | Video by Kim Jong-mi