Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse in the capital city of Caracas and sending panicked residents into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 7.2 magnitude foreshock, followed just 40 seconds later by a stronger 7.5 magnitude earthquake near the country's northern coast . The quakes rank among the strongest seismic events to hit Venezuela in over 125 years .

The epicenter of the main tremor was located approximately 16 kilometers southwest of Morón, along Venezuela's Caribbean coastline, at a depth of about 10 kilometers . The initial foreshock struck near the municipality of San Felipe in Yaracuy state, with a depth of 13 kilometers .

Thousands of residents in Caracas evacuated swaying buildings as the ground shook violently. Witnesses described walls crumbling, glass shattering, and furniture visible through collapsed exterior walls . Dust columns rose above at least two neighborhoods in the capital as buildings gave way .

The quakes struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time, when many Venezuelans were at home observing a public holiday commemorating the country's independence from Spain . Fire trucks and emergency vehicles rushed through the streets as darkness fell .

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed "alarming situations" in Caracas neighborhoods, particularly Altamira, where homes and buildings collapsed . He urged residents to remain outside because aftershocks could further damage unstable structures.

Cabello also appealed to motorists to clear roads for ambulances and emergency response teams. While authorities have not confirmed casualties, the minister indicated that some people may have been injured in the collapse .

The U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers initially issued an advisory warning of potentially hazardous waves for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, as well as the Venezuelan islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire . However, officials later canceled the advisory, confirming there was no tsunami threat .

The last comparable seismic event in Venezuela occurred in 2018, when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Sucre state and affected at least ten countries across the region . The 1967 Caracas earthquake caused significant casualties and remains a reference point for older residents .

Geologists classify the two events as a "doublet," a phenomenon where two major earthquakes occur in the same area within seconds . The USGS identified the 7.5 magnitude tremor as the main shock, with the 7.2 event classified as a foreshock .

The quakes were felt across multiple Venezuelan states, including Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, and Miranda . Residents in neighboring Colombia also reported feeling tremors in Bogotá .

The earthquake severely damaged infrastructure in Venezuela's capital. Video footage showed emergency workers climbing into the ruins of a collapsed building in Caracas as search and rescue operations began . Many residents lost power and internet connectivity in the immediate aftermath .

Officials have activated response protocols and urged citizens to check on children, the elderly, and neighbors. Rescue efforts continue as authorities assess the full extent of the damage . Authorities continue to warn residents to remain cautious of aftershocks.