A preliminary estimate from the United Nations Development Programme put the cost of direct physical damage caused by the quakes at $6.7 billion.

The United States Geological Survey has estimated that the final death toll could be between 10,000 and 100,000 people.

Large earthquakes hit Venezuela Wednesday evening and killed at least 188 people, authorities said, with 1,520 injured and 157 missing.

Health minister says nearly 4,300 people injured