Two powerful earthquakes struck broad areas of Venezuela, including the capital Caracas, on Wednesday evening, causing building collapses and raising fears of extensive casualties and widespread destruction across the country.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck at 6:04 p.m. local time near San Felipe, approximately 284 kilometers (176 miles) west of Caracas.

Just 39 seconds later, a second and stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit near Yumare, about 293 kilometers (182 miles) west of the capital. USGS said the epicenter was located roughly 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of Yumare at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The twin quakes caused severe shaking across Caracas, where several residential and commercial buildings reportedly collapsed. Thousands of residents rushed into the streets as emergency services began search and rescue operations.

Authorities also reported significant structural damage to homes and buildings throughout the capital, with some structures reduced to rubble.

Beyond Caracas, the states of Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda and La Guaira were also reported to have suffered major damage.

USGS warned that the consecutive strong earthquakes could result in severe human and economic losses. Preliminary assessments indicated the potential for casualties ranging from 10,000 to more than 100,000 people, though no official death toll had been confirmed.

Following the earthquakes, tsunami warnings were briefly issued for the Venezuelan coast and nearby islands including Aruba and Bonaire, but were later lifted.

As authorities continued damage assessments, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced a temporary suspension of gas supplies nationwide as a safety precaution.

The disaster revived memories of the devastating 1967 Caracas earthquake, one of the strongest seismic events in the capital’s modern history.

Emergency response efforts remain underway, and officials are expected to release updated casualty and damage figures in the coming hours.