Two earthquakes toppled buildings in Caracas and prompted a frantic effort to rescue survivors in a country already grappling with political and economic turmoil.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake and a 7.5-magnitude were less than a minute apart, said the U.S. Geological Survey. The second earthquake was the largest to hit the country since 1900.

Several earthquakes shook Venezuela's capital of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon,witnesses reported.

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, about 39 seconds apart, struck north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, collapsing buildings in the capital, Caracas, and…

US authorities said "casualties and extensive damage are probable".

Twin 7-magnitude earthquakes have hit Venezuela, causing buildings to collapse in Caracas, with warnings of further powerful aftershocks.

Twin 7-magnitude earthquakes have hit Venezuela, with warnings of further powerful aftershocks.

Two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, local time, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas.

Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck Caracas, with USGS warning of potentially widespread disaster and up to 100,000 deaths; airport was shut, buildings collapsed and…

"Red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. High casualties and extensive..."

The USGS warns the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000

Buildings and houses collapse after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake strikes west of Caracas, leading scientists to estimate "high casualties and extensive damage" in the capital.…

Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital on Wednesday afternoon (local time), bringing down buildings in Caracas and causing scientists to estimate "high casualties…

Powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela, causing damage in the capital, Caracas, and prompting dire warnings from scientists about potential widespread destruction and significant…

Two powerful earthquakes – with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 – sent residents running into the streets as buildings shook and collapsed

Two major earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit near the Venezuelan capital on Wednesday, collapsing buildings and causing widespread damage.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160km west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey.

CARACAS: Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital on Wednesday (Jun 24) afternoon, bringing down buildings in Caracas, trapping people in the rubble and prompting…

The quakes were the strongest to hit the country in a century, and resulted in buildings collapsing in the Capital Caracasas. | World News

Authorities have estimated that the number of casualties could be in the tens of thousands

The quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.