The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 164, while more than 970 people have been injured, according to the country’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez.The earthquakes occurred on Thursday evening at around 6 p.m. local time (3 a.m. Friday IST). They measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale. The first earthquake struck at a depth of 22 kilometers near Morón, located about 168 kilometers west of the capital city, Caracas.Just one minute later, a second and stronger earthquake measuring 7.5 struck about 16 kilometers southwest of Morón at a depth of 10 kilometers. Experts say it is the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900.Following the disaster, President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency. She confirmed that the number of deaths had increased to 164 and that 971 people were injured. She urged citizens to remain alert and follow safety measures.Rodríguez also warned that the death toll could continue to rise as rescue teams search through collapsed buildings. She said the state of La Guaira has suffered the most damage, with dozens of buildings destroyed.“La Guaira is facing a major tragedy and has become a disaster zone. We are working tirelessly to rescue as many people as possible,” she said.
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated that the final death toll could be much higher, possibly reaching into the thousands due to the scale of the disaster.U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Venezuela and said he had directed all U.S. government agencies to be ready to provide assistance. In a social media post, Trump described the earthquakes as devastating and said the United States stands ready to help the Venezuelan people. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences and support. In a message shared on X, Modi said the disaster had caused deep sorrow and expressed sympathy to the families who lost loved ones. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and stated that India is prepared to provide all possible assistance to Venezuela during this difficult time.
