LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AFP) — A pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela have killed at least 164 people, the country’s leader said Thursday as residents searched for loved ones trapped under rubble after many buildings were flattened within minutes.

An international outpouring of aid quickly followed the tremors on Wednesday evening, which the United States Geological Survey measured as magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, centered west of the capital Caracas.

The toll has climbed quickly, with interim President Delcy Rodriguez reporting at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt, noting that the state of La Guaira north of Caracas was hit hard.