At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured in Venezuela after the country was hit by two powerful earthquakes, acting president Delcy Rodríguez said.

Earthquake Magnitudes Among the Strongest in a Century

The latest figures mark a sharp increase from an earlier reported toll of 32 dead and 700 injured, Authorities fear the numbers could rise further as rescue efforts continue.

Yesterday’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.

Intensive Search in Hard-Hit La Guaira

Rodríguez said authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to the hardest-hit La Guaira area, which sits north of the capital Caracas.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said.

Rescue Teams and Concerns About Rising Toll

The government has mobilized additional resources to support the search for survivors, with emergency teams working around the clock to reach affected areas, and the scale of destruction has raised concerns about the capacity of local emergency services to manage the aftermath.

Residents in Caracas and surrounding areas reported feeling both quakes, with many describing the shaking as intense and sudden; some buildings in the city suffered minor damage, though most casualties were reported in La Guaira and nearby coastal towns.

The earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth, increasing the impact on populated areas — Seismologists have warned that further aftershocks are likely in the coming days, adding to the uncertainty for rescue workers and families affected by the disaster.

International aid groups have begun coordinating with Venezuelan officials to provide supplies and support to affected communities, the government has also requested assistance from regional partners to back the response.

As the search for survivors continues, the focus remains on stabilizing the situation in the hardest-hit areas and preventing further loss of life.