The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela has surged to at least 164 with 971 injured, according to an interim report by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The number of casualties is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
Rodríguez confirmed that emergency teams are still working to reach those trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings. She noted approximately 30 aftershocks have been recorded since the main earthquake, described as the most powerful to hit Venezuela since 1900.
According to data from the US Geological Survey, the first earthquake struck with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale, followed less than a minute later by a second quake measuring 7.5. Aftershocks continued to affect various hard-hit areas.
The impact of the earthquakes stretched across large swathes of Venezuelan territory, with tremors felt in multiple cities. Effects were also experienced in regions of the Brazilian Amazon, prompting authorities to evacuate several buildings and facilities as a precautionary measure.
The US agency highlighted that this disaster is considered the most severe to strike Venezuela since the 1900 earthquake, suggesting that the casualty and damage toll could increase as assessments continue and rescue teams reach devastated areas.
Venezuelan authorities are persisting with relief and rescue operations under complex field conditions, while efforts to save those trapped and provide urgent aid to the affected continue.