Two powerful earthquakes struck central Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. The agency warned that the consequences could be severe—with a large number of casualties and serious destruction.
Residents say the tremors were felt especially strongly: buildings shook, and power went out in some areas, including the capital, Caracas. Footage published on social media shows destroyed buildings. There were no immediate reports of deaths.
Venezuela has some of the world’s largest oil reserves, but its oil industry has been in decline for years because of aging infrastructure and U.S. sanctions. The country is also facing triple-digit inflation. In January, U.S. forces detained Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro.
The earthquake was the strongest in the country or off its coast since 1900, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.
Residents of Caracas pray in the street.