The earthquakes in Venezuela

Panic as earthquakes strike: “The windows were shaking”

Videos from Venezuela show shock and panic as twin earthquakes hit the capital Caracas.

– I saw the windows shaking, and the only thing I could think of to do was stand between the front door and a stone wall to try to protect myself, journalist Nicole Kolster tells the BBC.

People in Caracas have left their apartments and international media are reporting that many residents are in shock. Several are reported to have seen buildings collapse while trying to save their family members and pets.

The earthquakes occurred in the region around the coastal city of Morón and had a depth of 22 and 10 kilometers respectively, according to the US Geological Survey. The tremors occurred just a minute apart. Morón is located just over 200 kilometers from Caracas.

Caracas' main airport has been closed after serious damage.

The extent of the devastation is still unclear. The USGS estimates that tens of thousands of people may have died.

Thousands feared dead after twin quakes in Venezuela: “Like a horror movie”

Several people have been confirmed dead in the Venezuelan capital Caracas after two strong quakes, Reuters reports. At least three people are reported to have died in the Baruta area after two buildings collapsed.

– When we came down, it looked like a scene from a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble. The property manager came down with a baby, along with all the neighbors, says Maria Alejandra, who lives in a nearby building.

The extent of the devastation is still unclear and there are reports of injured and missing people in several states.

During the night, rescue workers have worked intensively to rescue people from the rubble.

When the tremors struck, thousands of residents took to the streets of Caracas to seek shelter.

“As soon as it started, we heard people screaming. Everyone ran down the stairs,” says 41-year-old Caracas resident Astrid Ramirez.

People desperately try to contact loved ones: “No one answers”

People around the world are now trying to get in touch with family and friends after the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela. The BBC’s Valentina Oropeza writes that late last night she received a voicemail from her sister Veronica in Caracas, who said that her house was “shaking terribly.” Then she could not be reached.

Over the next few hours, the reporter tried desperately to get in touch with family in Caracas, while images and videos of collapsing buildings filled her feed. Finally, the sisters managed to get in touch again.

“Sister, I thought we were going to die,” the sister said in the call.

Rescue work is underway in the dark and people are standing in the rubble calling out the names of their relatives, says SR's Latin American correspondent Lotten Collin.

- I have tried to contact those I know in Venezuela, but no one is answering the phone, the internet is down, says Lotten Collin.

At least 32 people have been confirmed dead so far.