LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AFP) — The death toll in Venezuela’s twin earthquake disaster reached 1,430 Saturday, and millions more were feared to lack sanitation and other basic needs, as the first United States (US) aid flights landed in Caracas.

Facing public outrage at the response by local officials, Venezuela’s US-backed interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, thanked other countries for the outpouring of aid.

The search for survivors saw desperate attempts by local residents to claw away rubble from apartment buildings that collapsed in Wednesday’s two quakes. Experts say the first 72 hours after natural disasters are the key, narrow window for finding the living.