The death toll from two strong earthquakes that struck Venezuela within seconds of each other on Wednesday has risen to 164, with at least 971 people injured, officials said Thursday.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit the same area in Caracas, the country's capital, causing buildings to collapse and residents to run for safety. Rescuers are now frantically searching for survivors who may be trapped under the rubble.
Interim President Decly Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in Venezuela and suspended all transportation services. Multiple states have been affected, with La Guaira, a region north of Caracas, being hit the hardest.
The earthquakes, which occurred at about 6 p.m. local time, had a significant impact on the northern coastline, including La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcón. At least 20 aftershocks have been felt across the country, with the worst-hit areas in Caracas being the neighbourhoods of Los Palos Grandes and Altamira.
Residents described the scenes as "like a horror movie," with buildings reduced to rubble and survivors searching for loved ones. Emergency personnel scrambled over debris, looking for survivors as the night fell.
The death toll is likely to continue to rise as rescue efforts continue. The US Geological Survey noted that there was a 44% chance the death toll could grow up to 10,000 and a 30% chance it could reach 100,000, citing figures calculated based on previous earthquakes with similar characteristics.
Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said multiple states had been affected by the quake, with the northern coastline being hit the hardest. The aftershocks have had a significant impact on the region, with residents searching for safety and rescue teams working to find survivors.
The last earthquake to hit this area was back in the 1960s, and the two earthquakes that struck on Wednesday were particularly devastating. As the rescue efforts continue, the situation remains dire, with many lives at risk.
