Emergency declared in Venezuela following devastating twin earthquakes; death toll rises to 164

CARACAS: The death toll from the earthquake in the Latin American country of Venezuela rose to 164. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said that 971 people were injured. The president had earlier announced that 32 people died and warned that the death toll could rise further.

Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela within minutes of each other. The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale yesterday evening. The first earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, struck 170 kilometres west of Caracas, west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, according to the US Geological Survey. It was 22 kilometres deep. A minute later, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck. It was centred 16 kilometres southwest of Moron at a depth of 10 kilometres.

These are the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in a century. The quake prompted evacuations as far away as the Brazilian Amazon, 1,700 kilometres from the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Following the calamity, the president declared a state of emergency in Venezuela. The president said dozens of buildings had collapsed in the earthquake and that intensive rescue efforts were underway. Power was cut off in many parts of the country. Simon Bolivar International Airport was closed due to damage. Subway services were cancelled. Natural gas supplies were cut off. Delcy Rodriguez said there would be no classes in schools for several days. The Ministry of Education said some schools would serve as shelters and financial assistance centres.