'It's shaking!': inside Venezuelan airport struck by earthquake – video

Video shows the moment an earthquake rocked Maiquetia airport in Venezuela.

Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on Wednesday afternoon, bringing down buildings, trapping people in rubble and prompting scientists to warn of potentially heavy casualties and widespread destruction across the country.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes and nearly two dozen aftershocks shook the country, declaring the Maiquetia airport, near Caracas, closed because of damage.

Venezuela earthquake – latest updates