Rescuers search rubble for survivors as Venezuela earthquakes kill at least 188

It is likely the death toll will rise further. The USGS said: "High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread." It estimated there was a 42% chance of more than 10,000 deaths and a 33% chance of more than 100,000 as a result of the earthquakes, based on a range of factors including previous, similar quakes and the size of the nearby population. These figures were issued to help the emergency response and are not an exact prediction. They were calculated based on previous earthquakes with similar characteristics, as well and other factors such as the size and depth of each quake. Other elements play into the potential injuries and deaths, including the quality of the buildings and the time of day the quakes hit. Venezuela lies over the meeting point of two tectonic plates and the earthquakes were likely caused by the sudden release of friction between them. Caracas-based journalist Luis Hernandez told BBC Newsday that assessing the true scale of the damage would be difficult, with power cuts and internet failures complicating the situation. "Due to the economic crisis in the country, it is very difficult for us to assess," he said. Cabello told VTV that the Altamira and Los Palos Grandes neighbourhoods of Caracas were the worst hit. The two were also among the worst-affected in 1967, when the last major earthquake to hit the Venezuelan capital struck, killing 200 people. …