World·NewTwo strong earthquakes shook north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, west of the capital Caracas, with residents in neighbouring Colombia also reporting feeling tremorsThe 7.1- and 7.5-magnitude quakes collapsed buildings in the capital CaracasThe Associated Press · Posted: Jun 24, 2026 7:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 minute agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Municipal police officers evacuate an injured victim from a collapsed building following two strong earthquakes in Caracas Wednesday. (Juan Berreto/AFP/Getty Images)Two strong earthquakes shook north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas, with residents in neighbouring Colombia also reporting feeling tremors.The U.S. 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. The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. 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. Rescue workers carry a person on a stretcher out of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas on Wednesday. The 7.1-magnitude quake was followed by a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake. (Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images)Tsunami warningsThe 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, Curaçao and Bonaire — could also be hit by hazardous waves.Many Venezuelans were at home when ​the quake hit, celebrating a public holiday commemorating an 1821 military victory that secured the country's independence from ​Spain.Residents in Caracas rushed to evacuate as the ⁠first quake shook buildings.Maria Romero, ⁠an 80-year-old pensioner living on ‌the south side of Caracas, said that police helped her evacuate from her building. "This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967," she added.Many residents in Caracas lost power or internet service right after the quake.Rescuers search for victims in a collapsed building following the back-to-back quakes. (Manaure Quintero/AFP/Getty Images)One witness said cracks had formed up the side of their apartment and that glass ​in the entryway had shattered. Power went down shortly after, the witness said."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 building]."Venezuela's 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 urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.People react as they gather after an earthquake, in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, on Wednesday. A second, stronger quake hit the same region a short time later. (Gaby Oraa/Reauters)Cabello also suggested people were injured in the earthquake, asking motorists to clear the way for 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."With files from Reuters