The 7.5 magnitude quake is the strongest to hit the country since 1900; international rescue teams are being deployed as acting president declares a state of emergency.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude — struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, reducing buildings to rubble and triggering widespread panic across the capital and coastal regions.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who announced the death toll on Thursday, described the situation as a "true tragedy." The number of casualties is expected to rise significantly. A website tracking missing persons has listed over 7,380 people as unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon.

The first quake struck about 160 km west of Caracas at a depth of 13 km. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger tremor of 7.5 magnitude hit near Morón at a depth of just 10 km. The shallower depth meant more intense ground shaking, causing severe damage across a wide area.

This is Venezuela's strongest earthquake event in 126 years, surpassing any since the magnitude 7.7 quake of 1900.

La Guaira Becomes 'Disaster Zone'

The port city of La Guaira, north of Caracas, has been the worst-hit area. Officials said at least 15 buildings collapsed there, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors. Acting President Rodríguez described the area as a "disaster zone."

In Caracas, several residential buildings collapsed, including a five-flat structure in the San Bernardino district. The Chacao municipality reported four building collapses and at least one death, with 30 other structures deemed structurally compromised.

Rescue workers have pulled several survivors from the debris. Three children were rescued alive from a collapsed building in La Guaira. In the Baruta municipality, search operations were completed after three people were confirmed dead in the Las Minas de Baruta parish.

Internet Disrupted, Gas Supply Cut

Internet connectivity across Venezuela dropped to 59% of normal levels shortly after the quakes, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The disruption, linked to power outages and infrastructure damage, has hampered information flow from affected areas.

Venezuela's interior minister said gas supplies were temporarily cut off as a precaution while authorities assess damage to prevent gas-related accidents.

The Simon Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía sustained significant damage and remains closed. Schools have been ordered closed nationwide, with some buildings being converted into relief shelters.

USGS Warns Death Toll Could Cross 10,000

The US Geological Survey has issued a red alert — the highest warning level — estimating that fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000. The agency puts a 44% chance that the death toll exceeds 10,000 and a 30% chance it surpasses 100,000.

The estimate is based on the earthquake's magnitude, depth, ground shaking, population exposure, and comparisons to similar past events. The final toll will depend on factors like building quality and the time of day the quake struck.

International Response Pours In

US President Donald Trump pledged "a whole-of-government response" to the disaster, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it will be "big, fast, and effective."

Several nations have offered assistance:

- El Salvador: 300 rescuers and 50 tonnes of equipment ready for deployment

- Germany: Six A400M military transport aircraft on standby

- Switzerland: 80 rescue workers and 18 tonnes of equipment being sent

- EU: Copernicus satellite surveillance activated

- UN: Specialist rescue teams certified by the UN are en route

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and said India stands ready to assist in every possible way.

A City in Shock

Luis Alejandro Ruiz Garcia, a 25-year-old Caracas resident, described scenes of devastation. He received a Google earthquake alert moments before violent shaking cracked a wall in his home. "When we went downstairs, it looked like something out of a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble from the building. You could hear the banging and the screams of people calling for help."

Another resident, Maria Alejandra, told Al Jazeera: "The walls had fallen, the bars were broken. I only saw one family make it out."

The earthquake struck in the evening, and rescue teams have been working through the rubble all night. The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Japan Also Hit by 6.9 Magnitude Quake

In a separate development, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Japan's northeastern coast. Authorities reported no tsunami threat and no major damage or casualties so far. Bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori were temporarily suspended as a precaution.