Caracas, June 26: The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck western Venezuela has climbed to 188, with at least 1,520 people injured and 157 still missing, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The back-to-back quakes hit on Wednesday evening, with the first measuring 7.2 magnitude, followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5 magnitude tremor in the same region west of the capital,
Caracas. According to the United States Geological Survey, it was among the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said rescue teams were working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings, warning that the death toll could rise further.
The earthquakes caused widespread devastation in Caracas and surrounding areas, damaging or destroying at least 250 buildings, homes and key infrastructure. The Venezuelan government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
International rescue efforts have also begun under the coordination of the United Nations to support local emergency teams.
Earlier, acting President Delcy Rodríguez had reported 164 deaths and 971 injuries, but overnight rescue operations revealed a significantly higher number of casualties.
