Two powerful earthquakes struck off Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse in Caracas and sending residents rushing into the streets. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 foreshock was followed just 40 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Montalbán, an area close to some of the country’s largest refineries. Videos showed frightened residents evacuating buildings with family members and pets as the tremors shook the region. Although an initial tsunami advisory was issued for parts of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, US Tsunami Warning Centers later confirmed there was no tsunami threat and canceled the alert.
