00:00Thousands are feared dead after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital Caracas.
00:06At least 164 people are confirmed killed, with many more believed trapped under rubble.
00:12The first quake, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit about 160 kilometers west of Caracas,
00:19followed less than a minute later by a second strong tremor measuring 7.5.
00:24The government has declared a national emergency.
00:28The U.S. Geological Survey says its models suggest that the death toll could rise into the thousands,
00:35with a significant possibility it could exceed 10,000.
00:39Images from the capital show emergency teams searching through the ruins of collapsed buildings as night fell,
00:46while families desperately sought information on loved ones.
00:50Many residents were at home when the quake struck during the afternoon on a public holiday.
00:56Acting President Delcey Rodriguez said that the priority now is rescue operations,
01:02with international teams expected to arrive in the coming hours.
01:06She said that initial casualty figures do not include those from worst-affected Laguera State near Caracas
01:13and home to the city's airport, which had been closed.
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