2 Strong Quakes Shake Venezuela

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes slammed Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital, Caracas. The US Geological Survey said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicenter was west of the community of Morón, located along the country's Caribbean coast, about 104 miles west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 8 miles. The USGS said an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 6 miles and its epicenter was 10 miles southwest of Morón.

• The quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for the Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.
• People evacuated swaying buildings in Caracas and remained outside, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy, the AP reports.
• Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states, adding that the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had "alarming situations" with collapsed homes and buildings, suggesting people were injured in the earthquake and asking motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles. He urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.

The USGS said that based on data from the twin quakes and the types of structures common in the area, this is likely a major disaster, with extensive damage and many casualties, the New York Times reports.

• Around 30 minutes after the Venezuela quake, a powerful earthquake struck off Japan's northern coast. The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 and occurred off the eastern coast of Iwate, but there is no danger of a tsunami, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The quake had a depth of about 30 miles, the agency said. The rattling occurred in an area where strong earthquakes have repeatedly been reported in recent months, the AP reports.
• This story has been updated with new developments.