Venezuelan authorities on Thursday began demolishing buildings in the state of La Guaira, the region worst hit by last month's twin earthquakes, AFP observed. 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. 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. Rescue teams and family members continue to sift through the rubble in La Guaira, searching for victims and loved ones.