Buildings collapse as earthquake rocks Venezuela

⁠Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela’s capital ⁠on Wednesday afternoon, bringing down buildings in Caracas and causing scientists to estimate “high casualties and extensive damage” to the South American country.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas, with a magnitude 7.5 tremor hitting less than a minute later, ‌according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS said, with an initial death toll estimate likely between 10,000 and 100,000.

Authorities did not immediately give estimates for deaths or injuries. “Some buildings have been brought down (in Caracas), houses have collapsed,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on state television.

Video footage showed emergency workers climbing into ⁠the ruins of one collapsed building in the capital as night began to fall.

Many Venezuelans were at home ‌when the quakes hit, celebrating a public holiday commemorating an 1821 military victory which secured Venezuela’s independence from Spain.