Rescue teams in Venezuela are searching damaged buildings and transport corridors after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within seconds, killing at least 164 people according to figures attributed to acting leader Delcy Rodriguez and leaving hundreds more injured.

The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 7.2 quake at 22:04:33 UTC on Wednesday near Yumare, followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 shock in the same area. USGS classified both events with a red PAGER alert, its highest category for estimated human and economic impact, and reported violent shaking close to the epicentral region.

Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency as crews assess damage in and around Caracas, coastal La Guaira and communities closer to the epicentre. Early reports describe collapsed or unsafe buildings, transport disruption and pressure on hospitals. Those details remain difficult to verify independently while rescue work continues and communications are uneven.

The casualty picture has changed rapidly. Several early accounts placed the death toll far lower, but later reporting cited Rodriguez as saying at least 164 people had died and 971 had been injured.

The disaster comes at a sensitive moment for Venezuela, where infrastructure weakness, shortages and political isolation can complicate emergency response. International agencies and nearby governments are likely to face pressure to provide technical, medical and logistical support if Caracas requests outside assistance.

Seismologists will continue to refine the event sequence, but the broad outline is now clear: Venezuela was hit by an unusually severe double event, close enough in time and place that damage assessments must consider the combined effect of both shocks. Authorities have warned that aftershocks could continue, creating further risk for residents and rescue workers.