At least 32 people have died and more than 700 have been injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within minutes of each other, causing buildings to collapse and sending people fleeing into the streets.
The quakes hit on Wednesday evening and left rescue teams searching through rubble in parts of the country, including areas near the capital, Caracas, and the badly affected state of La Guaira.
The first earthquake was recorded at magnitude 7.2. It was followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake, according to US monitoring agencies.
Officials warned that the full scale of the disaster was still not clear, with rescue work continuing overnight and more casualties feared.
Interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and urged doctors, nurses and emergency workers to report for duty. She said hotels and shelters would be made available for people whose homes had been destroyed or badly damaged.
People have also been asked to report anyone who is missing, as rescue workers try to reach those trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
In Caracas, buildings shook and residents ran outside as the ground moved. Some neighbourhoods were left without power, while burst water pipes flooded streets in parts of the city.
Transport was also disrupted. Subway and train services were suspended, while damage was reported at Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves the capital.
La Guaira, on the Caribbean coast, appeared to be among the worst-hit areas. Buildings were reported to have collapsed, while other structures were left badly damaged and unsafe.
Footage shared online showed frightened residents gathering in open areas, damaged buildings and emergency crews working in difficult conditions. In Caracas, rescuers asked crowds to stay quiet as they listened for people trapped under rubble.
The epicentre was reported near San Felipe, in the state of Yaracuy, west of Caracas. Seismologists may still revise the exact strength and location of the quakes as more data is reviewed.
The stronger quake is believed to be the most powerful to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
Earthquakes of this size can cause severe damage, especially where buildings are old or not designed to withstand strong shaking. The US Geological Survey has warned in past risk assessments that many people in the region live in homes made from materials such as unreinforced brick or adobe block, which are more likely to collapse during major tremors.
The disaster comes at a difficult time for Venezuela, which has faced years of political and economic turmoil. The country has also been adjusting to a new political reality after the removal and capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces earlier this year.
International help is now expected to arrive. Venezuela has said rescue teams and aid could come from several countries, including the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Qatar. China, Brazil and Caribbean nations have also offered support.
Tremors were also felt in Curaçao, the Caribbean island north of Venezuela, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage there.
The quakes have drawn comparisons with Venezuela’s 1967 earthquake, which caused heavy damage in Caracas and killed more than 200 people.
For now, the priority is rescue and medical care. Officials are urging people to avoid damaged buildings, stay alert for aftershocks and follow emergency instructions as teams continue searching for survivors.