Venezuela Earthquake Update: Death toll rises to 164, 971 injured as massive quakes devastate country

A series of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has left at least 164 people dead and 971 injured, according to the country’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez, as rescue operations continue across severely affected regions.

The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit near the northern coastal region and triggered widespread destruction, including the collapse of multiple buildings in and around Caracas and La Guaira.

Authorities said entire neighbourhoods have been badly affected, with emergency teams working through rubble to search for survivors. Hospitals in the capital and nearby states are overwhelmed as injured residents continue to arrive.

The government has declared a state of emergency and deployed military and disaster response units to accelerate rescue and relief operations. Infrastructure damage has also disrupted transport, power supply, and communication networks in several areas.

International assistance has begun to pour in, with multiple countries offering support, including search-and-rescue teams, medical aid, and logistical assistance for recovery efforts.

Officials warned that the casualty figure is likely to rise further as operations continue in hard-hit zones where access remains difficult.