• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Caracas, followed by a 7.5 quake.
• Buildings in Caracas have collapsed, leading officials to fear high casualties.
• Tsunami alerts were issued for Venezuela and neighboring areas.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck western Venezuela near the capital Caracas on Wednesday, followed shortly by a stronger 7.5 quake, both causing significant damage primarily in the capital. Residents felt the tremors strongly, with many evacuating buildings as glass shattered and walls crumbled, according to BBC and Reuters.

The initial quake occurred at 18:04 local time, with both tremors resulting in widespread destruction. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that collapsing structures trapped residents and created alarming situations in neighborhoods like Altamira, as the authorities prepared for extensive rescue operations, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

Emergency services reported rescues in progress amidst concerns of mass casualties, with estimates suggesting that fatalities could range significantly. Local officials indicated that injuries were already reported, emphasizing the urgent need for aid and rescue efforts as thousands remained evacuated, as noted by India Times and South China Morning Post.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for regions including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, advising residents of potential hazardous waves impacting coastal areas. These alerts were later lifted, but anxiety remained high among those in the affected areas, as stated by Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.