Venezuela Quakes Devastate Caracas

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in rapid succession Wednesday evening, with the U.S. Geological Survey reporting magnitudes around 7.2 and 7.5 near the country’s northern coast and west of Caracas. The shaking collapsed buildings in the capital, damaged infrastructure including reports from around the international airport, and sent residents into panic as tremors were felt across parts of the country. USGS impact estimates warned that high casualties and extensive, widespread damage were probable, while early reports cited injuries and feared mass casualties. The quakes briefly triggered a tsunami advisory for nearby areas, including Puerto Rico, before authorities continued assessing the scale of destruction.