A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km (100 miles) west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey.

Emergency workers scrambled over the debris of collapsed buildings in Caracas as night fell, while distraught relatives sought help for loved ones feared trapped. Dazed survivors were taken away, some on stretchers.

"When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie," said Maria Alejandra, a resident from a nearby building, who did not give her surname.

"We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out."

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people were confirmed dead. The initial toll did not include those from worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city's airport, where witnesses' footage showed scenes of panic as ceilings came down.

"Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save," she said on state television just before 1 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Thursday.

"La Guaira state is a true tragedy, and has become a disaster zone."

The US Geological Survey, using predictive modeling to estimate the death toll, said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.

A website set up to track missing people and posted on X by leaders from the country's opposition, many of whom are outside the country, listed more than 10,000 people as unaccounted for at 5.40 a.m. local time (0940 GMT).

Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck during a public holiday.

"There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it," said Coro Martinez, 56, who lives in eastern Caracas.

Latin American governments were quick to offer solidarity and help.

"For the time being, they have asked us for support in the form of specialist rescue and medical personnel," Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X.

"Mexico always stands in solidarity and always will."

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had listened to news about the quake "with great concern and dismay" and would support recovery efforts.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said he had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics and 50 tons of equipment, medicines, and basic supplies.

Cuban health workers were already on the scene, said Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and were "fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population".

Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile and Uruguay all expressed solidarity, while Ecuador and Dominican Republic both said they had readied aid to send.

Popular

Protest works

Dasco presses Pertamina CEO over gas price crisis threatening 55,000 jobs

Indonesia's largest AI experiment barely has safety net