MAJOR DAMAGE REPORTED AS VENEZUELA ROCKED BY TWO EARTHQUAKES

Two strong earthquakes have jolted the Venezuelan capital Caracas seconds apart. The first had a magnitude of 7.2 and the second 7.5.

BBC News says buildings have collapsed and residents have poured out into the streets Wednesday evening.

The country’s interior minister has asked people to leave their homes, amid concerns about high casualties and extensive damage.

Venezuela was celebrating a national holiday and many people were at home when the quakes struck at 6:04pm local time.

The quakes hit an area west of Caracas, and could be felt throughout the country and as far away as Bogota, Colombia.