Sawt Falasteen - Venezuela begins demolishing buildings in quake zone

The quakes on June 24 killed over 5,500 people and caused 190 buildings to collapse, according to official figures, while 856 more were damaged.

Soldiers cordoned off the area before using dynamite to blast the first ruined building apart -- a 12-story residential tower that had partially collapsed and was slanting toward the street.

Housewife Yenith Salcedo said she "felt horrible" upon feeling the blast.

"I was still at home. It was an overwhelmingly intense sensation," the 66-year-old said, who had received a community WhatsApp message to warn her about the explosion.

"I took my bag so I could come out here, to the beach, and wait in case there was another explosion," she said.

The earthquakes injured almost 17,000 people. The government has not disclosed a figure for the missing but experts project up to 10,000.

"No structure will be demolished as long as there are victims still to be found or people to be recovered," Transport Minister Francisco Garces told a press conference two days ago.

Rescue teams and family members continue to sift through the rubble in La Guaira, searching for victims and loved ones.

I.Matar--SF-PST