Powerful twin earthquakes kill at least 164, injure 1,000 in Venezuela
Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck northern Venezuela killed at least 164 people and injured about 1,000, according to El País. A wide area including Caracas was hit, and authorities fear the death toll could rise further.
Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela 39 seconds apart on Wednesday afternoon, according to El País. The tremors, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, killed at least 164 people and injured about 1,000. A wide area including the capital, Caracas, was affected.
Rescue teams are searching the rubble of collapsed buildings. Officials said the shallow depth of the quakes worsened the damage. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, and there are fears the death toll could climb higher still.
The government declared a state of emergency and launched a relief mobilisation. Neighbouring countries and international organisations offered support. The full extent of the damage to infrastructure is expected to become clearer over the coming days.
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