Venezuelans Search For Loved One After Earthquakes

MEXICO CITY (AP) — People in Venezuela and abroad are desperately searching for loved ones after two powerful earthquakes struck Wednesday evening. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes caused widespread damage and were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century. The official death toll rose to around 235 late Thursday and the number of casualties is expected to climb. Thousands are without cell service. Social media and online registries have become crucial for finding missing persons, with independent registries reporting up to 40,000 missing. The United Nations has urged Venezuela to lift social media restrictions to aid the search. Many Venezuelans abroad are struggling to get information about their families and are feeling powerless and anxious.