At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday. The quakes, which occurred on Wednesday, caused widespread damage across several regions.
Rodriguez initially reported 32 fatalities but later updated the toll as rescue efforts continued. The earthquakes, with magnitudes reported by the U.S. Geological Survey as 7.3 and 6.8, hit within hours of each other, triggering landslides and building collapses.
Emergency services are working to reach affected areas, with many roads blocked. International aid has been offered, and the government has declared a state of emergency. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
