A 7,2 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 160 km west of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on the night of 24/6, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Its epicenter was 13 km deep. Less than one minute later, a 7,5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region.

Caracas residents evacuated quickly as buildings swayed. Some structures suffered facade damage, Reuters reported.

A witness described cracks forming along apartment walls and shattered entrance glass, followed by a power outage. "Many walls in my building cracked or started to fracture. As soon as the shaking stopped, my husband and I immediately evacuated," a Valencia resident, west of Caracas, recounted.

Rescue teams search for victims in a collapsed building after the earthquake in Caracas on 24/6. AFP

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported the earthquake reached several states. He noted Caracas's Altamira neighborhood was in an alarming state, with homes and structures collapsing. Cabello urged residents to stay outdoors, warning that aftershocks could add to damage.

Dust plumes rose from two Caracas neighborhoods known for their restaurants and businesses, AP reported.

The tremor reached Colombia's capital, Bogota, where alarms sounded and residents evacuated buildings as a precaution. Colombia's National Risk and Disaster Management Unit (UNGRD) subsequently ruled out any tsunami threat.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially issued an alert for Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. It also warned that islands off Venezuela's coast, including Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, could face waves. Officials later rescinded this warning.

By Thanh Tam (AFP, AP, Reuters)