Deadly Earthquakes Devastate Northern Venezuela

Venezuela is racing to rescue survivors after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the country, killing at least one hundred and sixty-four people.

The magnitude seven-point-two and seven-point-five quakes struck Wednesday evening, leaving nearly one thousand people injured and thousands more unaccounted for.

The coastal state of La Guaira, just north of Caracas, suffered some of the heaviest destruction, with dozens of buildings reduced to rubble.

Rescue crews continued searching through the debris on Thursday as families desperately looked for missing loved ones.

The earthquakes were felt across the region, with buildings evacuated as far away as Brazil. Venezuela’s main international airport also sustained damage and was forced to close.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has described La Guaira as a disaster zone and says additional rescue teams have been deployed to the area.

International assistance is also beginning to arrive, with U.N.-certified search and rescue teams among those mobilising to support the response.