At least 164 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital Caracas on Wednesday evening, triggering widespread destruction and a major rescue operation.
First responders continued searching through collapsed buildings in Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira on Thursday, where survivors could be heard calling for help from beneath the rubble.
The first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck at 6:04 p.m. local time. Just 39 seconds later, a second and even stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit nearby.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), both earthquakes occurred at relatively shallow depths, increasing the severity of the damage.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and warned that casualty figures could rise as emergency crews reach devastated areas.
