Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck parts of Venezuela in quick succession, causing several buildings to collapse in the capital, Caracas. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the first quake, measuring 7.2, struck near the city of Morón on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 22 kilometres. According to the USGS, a second, stronger earthquake measuring 7.5 struck southwest of Morón just one minute later at a depth of 10 kilometres. Reports said several buildings collapsed in Caracas following the earthquakes, while emergency crews were searching for survivors and rescuing people trapped under the rubble. Venezuelan authorities have yet to release official figures on casualties or the extent of the damage. Assessments of the damage and conditions in the affected areas are ongoing.
