Powerful twin earthquakes that shook Venezuela killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday.
"At this time, we have received reports of 32 deaths" and "more than 700 injured," Rodriguez said in an address to the nation, adding she did not yet have data on the "hardest-hit region" of La Guaira, located near the capital.
Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela within minutes of each other on Wednesday, causing extensive damage in the capital Caracas, collapsing several buildings and sending frightened residents rushing into the streets.
The first earthquake, measuring 7.2 in magnitude, struck off Venezuela's Caribbean coast near Morón, about 168km west of Caracas, at a depth of 22km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Less than a minute later, a second, stronger quake measuring 7.5 hit the same region.
