Earthquake Rattles Venezuela

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CARACAS, Venezuela: A powerful earthquake ripped through northeastern Venezuela Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 40 people and injuring at least 162. The quake is considered Venezuela's worst in 30 years, registering 5.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake hit at 3:25 p.m. Venezuela time, demolishing one building in Cumana (about 340 miles east of Caracas) where about 30 people remain trapped in the rubble. In Cariaco, about 30 miles east of Cumana, 26 students and teachers died after the town's school was demolished. Rescue workers were trying to free approximately 30 people buried in the debris. The upheaval was Venezuela's worst since a 6.7 magnitude tremor struck Caracas in July 1967, leaving 300 dead and 2,000 injured.