Earthquake in Venezuela leaves dozens dead and causes national emergency
Rescuers search for survivors in rubble as death toll rises
Venezuela is experiencing hours of anguish after two powerful earthquakes shook the north of the country, leaving at least 164 dead and nearly a thousand injured, according to the most recent data released by Venezuelan authorities. The disaster has caused the collapse of buildings, damage to critical infrastructure and an intense mobilization of emergency teams in several regions of the country.
The earthquakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred just seconds apart and were felt in much of the Venezuelan territory. The most affected areas are concentrated in Caracas and the state of La Guaira, where landslides, interruptions in basic services and scenes of despair among the inhabitants were reported. Local authorities declared a state of emergency while search and rescue efforts continue.