At least 164 people have been killed and 971 injured in Venezuela after powerful back-to-back earthquakes rocked the country.
Thousands more are feared dead after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 100 miles west of the capital, Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS said the death toll would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of it exceeding 10,000. The casualty figures released early Thursday excluded the state of La Guaira, which is believed to be the area hardest hit and which Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez described as a “disaster zone.”
The quakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region.
Appealing for unity in an address on state television, Rodriguez said: “This is a true tragedy. From here, we send our message of solidarity, and to those families who have lost loved ones, we reaffirm our condolences and our support in these difficult hours.
“We are at this moment working very hard in rescue operations to save the lives that God permits us to save.”
In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump said: “The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
