Venezuelans search rubble for survivors after twin earthquakes kill at least 188

Venezuelans searched for survivors beneath collapsed buildings on Thursday and rescue teams raced to northern areas rocked by a pair of powerful earthquakes that officials say killed at least 188 people and left more than 200 trapped. More were feared dead.

The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck on Wednesday evening were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and were felt throughout the region.

Some 1,500 people were injured, thousands were reported missing across the country and buildings were evacuated as far away as Brazil’s Amazon.

The coastal region of La Guaira, which is north of the capital, Caracas, experienced some of the heaviest damage and casualties, officials said. It was there that the country’s main airport was damaged and closed, adding a hurdle to aid efforts.

In cities across northern Venezuela, panicked residents poured into the streets and many walked among the debris searching for the missing. Injured children, animals and civilians covered in dust and blood were pulled out of concrete rubble. Some families sobbed in grief in front of their destroyed homes.

In La Guaira, retired teacher Juan Alberto Mendano climbed through wreckage and past a dead body when he spotted a woman who was trapped and signalling with her hand for help.