Two Earthquakes in Seconds Kill 164 in Venezuela, Leaving Rescue Window Narrowing

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northwestern Venezuela near San Felipe on June 24, followed by a stronger 7.5 mainshock less than a minute later. The back-to-back sequence killed at least 164 and injured 971, with hundreds still trapped under rubble as of June 26. The rapid succession made the protective "drop, cover, hold" response nearly impossible. Rescue crews face a closing window; each passing hour reduces survival odds for the missing.