Back-to-back powerful earthquakes shook Venezuela on Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse in the capital of Caracas.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicenter was “28 km NW of Montalbán.”

The USGS said the second earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and its epicenter was “16 km SW of Morón.”

More from the Associated Press:

People evacuated swaying buildings in Caracas and remained outside, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.

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Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states, adding that the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had “alarming situations” with collapsed homes and buildings. He urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.

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.”

Viral footage online shows collapsed buildings following the earthquakes:

Cameras from a baseball game in Caracas caught the violent shaking:

ABC News provided video coverage:

Reuters shared further:

Residents in Caracas rushed to evacuate as ​the quake shook buildings.

Maria Romero, an 80-year-old pensioner on the south ​side of Caracas, said that the police helped her evacuate her building. “This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967,” she added.

According to ​videos from Reuters witnesses, fire trucks were on the streets ​in Caracas, and the facades of some buildings had suffered significant damage.

Many residents ‌in ⁠Caracas lost power or internet service right after the quake.

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One witness said that cracks had formed up the side of their apartment and glass in the entryway had shattered. Power went down ​shortly after, the ​witness added.

“Several ⁠walls in my building broke open or cracks formed,” a witness in Valencia, to the west ​of Caracas, told Reuters. “As soon as it stopped (shaking) my ​husband ⁠and I evacuated.”

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands following ⁠the earthquake, ​adding that islands off the coast ​of Venezuela — Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire — could also be hit by hazardous waves.

 

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