Death toll from Venezuela earthquake rises to 188 – UPDATED

The death toll from the earthquake in Venezuela has risen to at least 188, while 1,520 people have been injured.

According to Venezuelan media, cited by Report, the announcement was made by Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Rodríguez stated that around 157 people remain missing, while more than 200 people are still trapped beneath the rubble of approximately 250 destroyed or damaged buildings.

"About 3,000 families have been affected by the consequences of the earthquake," he added.

14:56

The number of people killed in the earthquake in northern Venezuela has risen to 164, while the number of injured has reached 971, the country's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, said, Report informs via Venezuelan media outlets.

She did not rule out the possibility that the death toll could rise further.

"Dozens of buildings have collapsed there," Rodríguez said, describing the rescue operations as "very complex rescue work."

On the night of Thursday, a 7.1‑magnitude earthquake struck northern Venezuela. The US Geological Survey (USGS) later reported two additional tremors of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, occurring 40 seconds apart.

The authorities declared a state of emergency.

Earlier news said that at least 32 people had died and 700 were injured as a result of two destructive earthquakes in Venezuela.