Venezuela earthquakes de@th toll rises to 188

At least 188 people have been k!lled and more than 1,500 injured after the powerful back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela, according to the latest reports.

Rescuers are searching the rubble in Caracas and the state of La Guaira, where the UN says more than 100 buildings have collapsed after the earthquakes on Wednesday, June 24.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblors had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The second was the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900.

In a brief address to the nation late Wednesday, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency.

She also said  communities across the country sustained damage. La Guaira, on the nation’s northern coast, apparently was the hardest hit state.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save. The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone,” she said.

“We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez said. “We urge unity.”

Rodríguez also asked all healthcare professionals in the country to report to hospitals to assist anyone who was injured. The Ministry of Education late Wednesday said some schools would be used as shelters and donation centers.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media early Thursday that, at President Trump’s direction, the U.S. is deploying search teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid to Venezuela.

Rubio spoke with Rodriguez and offered the full assistance of the U.S., a State Department official told CBS News, adding that those efforts were already underway. Rodriguez later confirmed the call in a social media post.

Earlier, Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “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. 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. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!”