Venezuela Quake Toll Tops 2,600

The combined death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela surged to 2,645, with over 12,000 injured and tens of thousands still missing as rescue teams raced to recover bodies before demolitions.

The catastrophe triggered political recriminations against acting President Delcy Rodriguez over the government's response.

International aid and rescue teams, including from Scotland, scrambled to find survivors amid aftershocks.

The disaster compounded Venezuela's existing political and economic crises.