Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, collapsing buildings

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hammered Venezuela today, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas.

The US Geological Survey said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicentre was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 13 kilometres.

Minutes later, the USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometres and its epicentre was 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.

The quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states, adding that the Altamira neighbourhood in Caracas had "alarming situations" with collapsed homes and buildings.

He also suggested people were injured in the earthquake, asking motorists to clear to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

"We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most," Cabello said on state television.

"Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed."

He urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.

"The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Damas said.

“We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”