The United States Geological Survey said high casualties and extensive damage are probable in Venezuela after two strong earthquakes rattled the capital and surrounding regions.

The United States Geological Survey said high casualties and extensive damage are probable in Venezuela after two strong earthquakes rattled the capital and surrounding regions.

Buildings have collapsed in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, after powerful back-to-back earthquakes hit the south American country - with reports there could be 'high casualties'.

strong earthquake shook north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, west of Caracas, bringing down buildings in the capital, ‌though authorities did not immediately report any casualties. The earthquake registered at a magnitude 7.1, about 160 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.…

Two major earthquakes shook the Venezuelan capital of Caracas seconds apart - with the first a magnitude of 7.2 and the second 7.5. Buildings have collapsed as residents poured out into the streets, and the interior minister has asked people to leave their homes. High casualties and extensive damage are probable, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) saying there is a 44% chance that fatalities will exceed 10,000. Venezuela was celebrating a national holiday and many people would have been at home when the quakes struck at 18:04 local time (23:04 BST). The quakes hit the area of Montalbán, west of Caracas, and could be felt as far away as Bogota, Colombia. A tsunami warning was issued for Venezuela, the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands by the US Tsunami Warning System but has now been cancelled. The US Geological Survey (USGS) says high casualties and extensive damage are probable in Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes rattled the capital and surrounding regions on Wednesday evening. "The…