Rescuers are racing against time in Venezuela,three days after two powerful earthquakes struck, with at least 1,430 people confirmed dead and more than 51,000 still missing.

The twin earthquakes struck on Wednesday, hitting magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on the nine-point Richter scale and devastating the coastal area around La Guaira.

Authorities moved on Friday night to restrict access to the area, as traffic chaos began to hamper search efforts.

With a scarcity of government rescue teams, Venezuelans have become desperate in the hardest-hit areas, digging through rubble with their hands. Aid agencies have warned that the critical 72-hour survival window is closing fast.

Officials said anyone who wants to enter the area around La Guaira will now have to seek official permits, but provided few details of who would be allowed in.

People reported seeing few state rescue teams in the hardest-hit areas, despite authorities projecting an image of a robust government response.

“Each person saved is a miracle,” said Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly.

“We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy.”

Government forces distributed food and water to survivors in La Guaira, and acting President Delcy Rodriguez said her government was mounting a full response during these “critical hours for rescuing people alive”.

She welcomed the arrival of international rescuers and humanitarian aid.

Rodriguez said La Guaira had been “militarised” and more help was on the way, even as residents said it was just a fraction of what they needed.

Rodriguez, the former vice president, took office in January after the United States captured and removed then-President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela has been facing economic disarray for more than a decade, and many people reject the legitimacy of the political movement Rodriguez represents.

On Saturday, the United Nations Development Programme estimated the direct physical damage of the quakes could cost between $4.7 to $8.7 billion dollars.

Meanwhile, another 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit off of Aragua state on Saturday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, although no major damage was reported.

[Aljazeera]