Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in the coastal state of La Guaira. According to interim president Delcy Rodríguez, at least 164 people have died and 971 were injured, with the toll concentrated in that region.

Rodríguez declared La Guaira a “disaster zone” on Thursday, reporting dozens of collapsed buildings and ongoing rescue operations. The state, home to the country’s main international airport and popular beaches, was crowded with holidaymakers celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo when the quakes hit. The airport suffered structural damage and suspended flights, while a baseball stadium was converted into a temporary shelter.

Earlier official figures had put the death toll at 32, but Rodríguez said those numbers did not include La Guaira, where the most severe damage occurred. The United States Geological Survey issued an automated estimate suggesting fatalities could range from 10,000 to 100,000, though no official confirmation supports that projection. Search teams from several countries, including the United States, Mexico, and Qatar, are arriving to assist, as authorities warn the final count may rise.

The disaster has drawn comparisons to the 1999 floods and landslides that devastated the same region, then known as Vargas state, with death tolls that remain disputed. Historians have argued that figures as high as 50,000 were inflated to attract international aid, while forensic analyses suggest around 700 fatalities. The current emergency is still being assessed, and authorities have not yet provided a definitive balance.