Venezuela earthquakes updates: 3-year-old boy pulled out of rubble after 6 days
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.
At least 1,943 people have died and another 10,571 people were injured from a pair of powerful earthquakes that devastated Venezuela, officials said.
The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.
Responders are still undertaking rescue operations, searching for people thought to be under the rubble.
Key Headlines
Death toll climbs to 188
At least 188 people are dead and another 1,520 are injured following the two devastating earthquakes, according to Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
Rescue teams from the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Qatar and the United Nations are a heading to Venezuela to help, Rodríguez said.
At least 2,927 families have been impacted, Rodríguez said, and he called for people to remain at home.
How to help the victims
Click here to learn about some of the organizations helping those affected by the earthquakes.
Quakes may become most devastating in Venezuela's modern history
The two powerful earthquakes may become the most devastating in Venezuela's modern history.
Venezuela sits along the Caribbean plate. It is not part of the infamous Ring of Fire that snakes around the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes -- especially of higher magnitude -- are relatively common.
An earthquake of this high a magnitude causes so much damage in a place like Venezuela because Venezuela’s infrastructure is not as prepared as countries along the Ring of Fire, like Japan.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the death toll will likely go over 1,000 and potentially could exceed 10,000.
-ABC News’ Kenton Gewecke
US Southern Command to support government relief operation
The U.S. Southern Command said it is working with the State Department to support a U.S. government relief operation in Venezuela.
“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” a SOUTHCOM statement said.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez