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 fees

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Good 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, said the airport had been closed after sustaining “severe damage” and that metro and rail services had been suspended. A Guardian reporter saw at least three buildings that had collapsed in Altamira, an affluent district in Caracas that is home to many foreign embassies, after the quakes struck shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.

This is what the company said: Greystar told the Guardian it disagreed with the allegations in the court actions and was “actively defending” the cases. In various court filings, the company has called tenants’ legal complaints factually deficient, implausible and “futile”.

In other housing news: On Wednesday, Donald Trump abruptly cancelled his plan to sign a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing, holding the bill – which passed the House and Senate – hostage until Congress passes the Save America Act, which would impose new identification requirements on voters and curtail mail-in voting.