164 killed, hundreds more injured in Venezuela earthquakes

At least 164 people were killed after twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday. Nearly 1,000 people have reported injuries, she told state news agency TeleSur TV. Delcy added that more than 100 aftershocks have been felt after the South American country’s most powerful earthquake in over a century hit on Wednesday night. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.5, was felt less than a minute after another one with a magnitude of 7.2 hit Venezuela. Rescue teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas to free people trapped under the wreckage, Delcy said.

Pictures of the aftermath show buildings leveled and turned to rubble. A fund of $200 million will be created to support the reconstruction of damaged hospitals and homes, Delcy added.

What offers of help has Venezuela received? U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday the United States was immediately deploying rescue teams and aid at the direction of President Donald Trump. Delcy, the acting president, confirmed she received a call from Rubio and thanked him for his support. Additionally, offers from countries around have poured in for Venezuela, ranging from the European Union to China to Brazil.

Have there been any casualties following Japan’s earthquake? No casualties have been reported, but at least 10 people were injured, according to The Japan Times. An unrelated earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 took place off the coast of Japan on Wednesday night. There were no tsunami warnings issued, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s report on when the back-to-back earthquakes hit Venezuela.