The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 188, while more than 1,500 people have been injured.
National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez announced the latest casualty figures on Thursday.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez earlier confirmed that about 30 aftershocks had followed Wednesday’s powerful earthquakes.
Authorities initially reported 32 deaths and over 700 injured before the figures rose significantly.
The twin earthquakes measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Both tremors struck the same region on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction across parts of the country.
Several buildings collapsed in the capital, Caracas, while authorities shut down the country’s main airport.
Emergency workers continued rescue operations as survivors searched desperately for missing relatives beneath the rubble.
United States President Donald Trump expressed sympathy with victims and offered assistance to Venezuela.
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths,” Trump said.
“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!”
“I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly,” he added.
An AFP journalist witnessed the complete collapse of a 22-storey building in Caracas’ Altamira district.
Family members gathered at the scene, calling out the names of missing loved ones.
Volunteers climbed through the debris searching for survivors trapped beneath the wreckage.
“We need flashlights,” one volunteer shouted during the rescue operation.
The USGS said the first earthquake struck 21 kilometres west of the coastal town of Moron.
The first tremor occurred at 2204 GMT and measured magnitude 7.2.
Within a minute, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck about 45 kilometres away.
USGS described the disaster as a rare earthquake doublet.
“This earthquake was the second event in a doublet,” the agency said.
“This magnitude 7.5 mainshock was preceded by 39 seconds by a 7.2 foreshock.”
Rescue teams remain on the ground as aftershocks continue, raising concerns about additional building collapses and further casualties.
