The death toll from Wednesday’s double earthquake in Venezuela has risen to 589, according to figures released on Friday.
Officials say nearly 3,000 people have been injured, and tens of thousands more are missing or still trapped beneath the rubble.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing, with several international agencies and charities mobilised to offer aid.
A statement from US Southern Command on Friday said it continues to surge military capabilities to Venezuela in support of ongoing earthquake relief efforts.
It said at present, two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft are transporting US Urban Search and Rescue teams, and one US Air Force C-17 will deliver load-movement equipment to Caracas.
Additionally, “US Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys will transport an airfield assessment team to Venezuela to support airport operations that were impacted near the earthquake epicenter.
The US Navy’s San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) have arrived in waters near Venezuela and will begin supporting relief and live-saving efforts.
Three US Army CH-47 Chinooks and crews from Joint Task Force-Bravo will depart Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras en route to support the transport of key personnel and supplies aiding impacted Venezuelan communities.”
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes struck just minutes apart on Wednesday evening.