Two earthquakes strike Venezuela within a minute, causing building collapses

Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS stated that "this earthquake was the second event in a doublet earthquake."

It remains unknown whether there were any fatalities, but some buildings collapsed and roofs caved in, according to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

The first earthquake, whose epicentre was 21 kilometres west of the coastal town of Morón, struck at 22:04 GMT, according to the USGS. Within a minute, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck an area approximately 45 kilometres away.

The USGS said: "This earthquake was the second event in a doublet earthquake. The main shock of magnitude 7.5 was preceded by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake 39 seconds earlier."

Dozens of people in the capital left their buildings and waited outside before returning to their offices and homes.