At least 164 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital Caracas on Wednesday evening, triggering widespread destruction and a major rescue operation.
First responders continued searching through collapsed buildings in Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira on Thursday, where survivors could be heard calling for help from beneath the rubble.
The first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck at 6:04 p.m. local time. Just 39 seconds later, a second and even stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit nearby.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), both earthquakes occurred at relatively shallow depths, increasing the severity of the damage.
Interim President Delcy Rodrguez declared a state of emergency and warned that casualty figures could rise as emergency crews reach devastated areas.
The USGS described the disaster as likely to cause a high number of casualties and extensive damage and estimated a 44% probability that the death toll could eventually reach above 10,000.
Maiqueta International Airport, Venezuelas main international gateway, was closed after suffering serious structural damage. Videos circulating online showed dust and debris falling from the terminal ceiling during the tremors.
The earthquakes struck on a national holiday, meaning many residents were at home when the shaking began. Footage shared on social media showed people running into the streets in panic.
Where it hit The earthquakes struck along Venezuelas central Caribbean coast, close to the densely populated corridor linking Caracas with the port city of La Guaira.
President Rodrguez declared La Guaira a disaster zone.
The epicenters were located at shallow depths beneath the coastal region north of the capital, causing intense shaking across a broad area.
Although damage was concentrated in Caracas and La Guaira, authorities said the tremors were also felt across several central states, including Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Yaracuy and Trujillo.
The earthquakes were strong enough to be felt hundreds of kilometers away in neighboring Colombia, where precautionary evacuations were reported in Bogot.
This is a developing story, check back for updates