Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela’s capital on Wednesday afternoon, damaging buildings in Caracas and prompting scientists to warn of potentially heavy casualties and widespread destruction across the South American country.

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 (USGS).

The earthquake, which struck at around 6pm local time, also prompted tsunami alerts across parts of the Caribbean.

The shaking began with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake near San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Just 40 seconds later, an even stronger magnitude 7.5 quake struck southeast of Yumare, making it the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela in more than 100 years.

The main earthquake struck at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located west of the coastal town of Morón.

USGS estimates high death toll

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS said, making an initial estimate that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000.

Authorities did not immediately provide a national toll for deaths or injuries, but local officials and witnesses reported collapsed buildings, rescues and a growing number of injured.

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, declared a nationwide state of emergency after two back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck the country’s northern Caribbean coast.

In a televised address to the nation, Rodriguez said the emergency measure had been imposed to facilitate and accelerate rescue and relief operations across affected regions.

“We have officially implemented a national state of emergency to streamline rescue resources,” she said.

Rodriguez also announced the indefinite closure of Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, citing extensive damage to the facility’s main terminals and operational runways.

Civil defence teams and emergency responders have been dispatched to areas near the earthquake epicentre to assess the extent of the destruction and coordinate relief efforts.

Authorities are continuing to evaluate damage to infrastructure as rescue operations remain underway.

The tremors were felt across much of northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas, where several buildings were damaged as residents rushed into the streets for safety.

Authorities said emergency teams had been dispatched to the worst-affected areas to assess the extent of the destruction and assist residents.

Videos shared on social media showed clouds of dust rising above parts of Caracas as buildings cracked and sections of concrete façades fell onto streets below.

Rescue workers were searching through damaged structures for people who may be trapped or injured.

Reports also indicated substantial damage and operational disruptions at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the country’s main international gateway.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the earthquake caused structural failures that led to the collapse of homes and buildings in several locations.

“All security and emergency response agencies, including civil protection, volunteers, firefighters and police, are fully deployed on the scene,” Cabello said during a televised address.

He described the situation in Caracas’s Altamira district as particularly serious, noting that some multi-storey residential buildings suffered partial collapses.

Residents in affected areas were advised to remain outdoors and exercise caution due to the risk of aftershocks.

“We recommend that you remain on the streets, watch over children and the elderly, and try to stay calm as rescue protocols are activated,” he said.

Following the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami warning for Venezuela’s coastline and the nearby Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

Tsunami advisories were also issued for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as authorities monitored sea levels and coastal conditions for possible abnormal wave activity.