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Rescue workers load a body bag containing the remains of a victim into a vehicle in La Guaira, Venezuela, on July 4 (local time). / Courtesy of Reuters-Yonhap

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck La Guaira and other regions of Venezuela on June 24 (local time) has neared 3,000, while unofficial figures for the missing have surpassed 40,000, Reuters reported on July 4 (local time).

The Venezuelan government announced that day that the death toll had risen to 2,954, marking an increase of 309 from the previous day's tally of 2,645.

The number of injured has exceeded 16,000, and unofficial reports indicate that more than 41,000 people remain missing.

More than 16,000 people have been left homeless by the earthquake, with some now living in government-provided shelters and temporary tent cities.

The Venezuelan government explained that approximately 30,000 public officials and 3,281 international rescue workers have been deployed to assist the earthquake victims.

Peter Holtz, medical director for the U.S. international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, stated that the field hospital—operated by the State Department in cooperation with various aid groups—has treated approximately 400 patients so far, adding that about 30 surgeries are scheduled to be performed by that evening.

"Initially, it’s all trauma care from the earthquake," Holtz said. "After that, follow-up surgeries will ensue."

Holtz added that Samaritan’s Purse plans to hand over operations to local doctors in the future, and intends to leave medical equipment and supplies behind to either keep the field hospital running or integrate it into local clinics.

                                                                                                           Park Jin-sook