Fear and confusion swept across Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck within seconds of each other, sending residents rushing into the streets and causing buildings to collapse in parts of the country.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit near the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, at about 6:04 p.m. local time while many citizens were at home celebrating a national holiday.
The tremors, which originated west of Caracas, were felt across Venezuela and as far away as Bogotá, Colombia, sparking widespread panic among residents.
Authorities urged people to evacuate their homes as emergency responders assessed the extent of the damage.
Early reports indicate that several buildings collapsed, raising fears of significant casualties and destruction. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there is a 44 per cent probability that the death toll could exceed 10,000 if the worst-case scenario unfolds.
Rescue efforts are expected to intensify as authorities work to locate survivors and assess the full impact of the disaster.
The back-to-back earthquakes have heightened concerns over the safety of thousands of residents, many of whom were caught indoors when the powerful tremors struck.
