At least 164 people were dead and another 971 people were injured after two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said early on Thursday. The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.
Emergency responders were undertaking "intensive rescue operations" early on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, Rodriguez said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he spoke with Rodriguez, and he said the U.S. is sending search and rescue teams.
