Venezuela earthquakes live updates: buildings collapse in Caracas as officials warn ‘high casualties’ likely

Two powerful earthquakes – with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 – sent residents running into the streets as buildings shook and collapsed

• Venezuela earthquake: powerful back-to-back quakes collapse buildings in capital Caracas

Many Venezuelans ‌were at home when the quakes struck as Wednesday was a public holiday. Some have spoken about what happened when the earthquakes hit.

“As soon as ‌it started, we began hearing people screaming,” said Astrid Ramirez, a 41-year-old from Caracas. “Everyone was running down the stairs.”