Rescue work underway in Venezuela as state of emergency declared over earthquakes

Rescue operations are ongoing as Venezuela on Wednesday declared a state of emergency following strong earthquakes that could result in high casualties and extensive damage.

Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured 700, in an address on state television before 1 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Thursday.

"Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts," she said. "I also want to say that this is a true tragedy. From here, we send our message of solidarity, and to those families who have lost loved ones, we reaffirm our condolences and our support in these difficult hours."

She said rescue crews from other countries are arriving in the coming hours.

Rodriguez has earlier declared a state of emergency, and announced the closure of the main international airport in Maiquetía, which suffered severe damage, according to media reports. She also said the metro and train systems had been suspended.

According to Rodriguez, in addition to two powerful earthquakes, 20 aftershocks were felt. She urged the people to evacuate damaged buildings and remain calm and united. 

A magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km west of Caracas at 6:04 p.m. local time (2204 GMT) on Wednesday, followed less than a minute later by an even stronger magnitude-7.5 tremor at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Shaking windows and toppled bookshelves were reported at the residences and images circulating on social media showed collapsed houses on the streets. Video footage also showed emergency workers climbing into the ruins of one collapsed building in the capital ⁠as night began ‌to fall.

Many Venezuelans were at home celebrating a public holiday when the quakes hit.

Venezuela's Interior, Justice and Peace Minister Diosdado Cabello said the strong earthquakes have caused damage in cities across the country, giving no immediate details on casualties or injuries.

Cabello urged Venezuelans to avoid staying inside buildings in the coming hours due to the risk of strong aftershocks that could cause further collapses, while calling on the public to remain calm and united as the country deals with the quakes' aftermath.

Meanwhile, Colombian media reported that the quakes were also felt strongly in several cities in neighboring Colombia.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat ​for Puerto ​Rico ⁠and the US and British Virgin Islands following ​the earthquake, adding that ​islands ⁠off the coast from Venezuela to Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire could ⁠also ​be hit by ​hazardous waves. 

The USGS said the two quakes are likely to result in high casualties and extensive damage.

(With input from agencies)