Caracas: Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within seconds on Wednesday evening, triggering panic, widespread destruction, and fears of a catastrophic loss of life as buildings collapsed across the capital, Caracas.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within a minute, damaging buildings in Caracas and sending residents into the streets. The twin jolts triggered Caribbean tsunami alerts and raised fears of further aftershocks and injuries.

A series of earthquakes, including two major ones, rocked Japan, Venezuela and the U.S. on Wednesday. Two major, back-to-back earthquakes hit central Venezuela Wednesday evening. The first earthquake,