Venezuela starts quake demolitions after over 5,500 deaths

Venezuelan authorities began demolishing buildings in La Guaira on Thursday after last month's twin earthquakes killed more than 5,500 people, according to official figures.

Soldiers cordoned off the area before using dynamite to bring down the first ruined building, a 12-storey residential tower that had partly collapsed and was leaning toward the street.

The June 24 quakes caused 190 buildings to collapse and damaged 856 more, officials said. Almost 17,000 people were injured.

Transport Minister Francisco Garces said two days earlier that no structure would be demolished while victims were still to be found or people remained to be recovered.

Rescue teams and family members are continuing to search through rubble in La Guaira for victims and loved ones. The government has not disclosed how many people are missing.