Powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela as death toll reaches 164 | First Thing

Buildings collapse after twin 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes. Plus, why apartment renters are facing a rising tide of feesDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a state of emergency after the country was struck by two powerful earthquakes, causing dozens of buildings to collapse. At least 164 people were killed and a further 971 injured. Experts warned the death toll was likely to rise.What do we know? The US Geological Survey said Venezuela had been hit by a magnitude 7.5 “mainshock” and a 7.2 “foreshock” 39 seconds earlier. “High casualties and extensive damage ⁠are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” ⁠it.How does the damage look on the ground? Rodríguez, who confirmed the death toll, sai