Back-to-back earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on June 24 (local time), raising concerns over massive casualties and damage.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 7.2-magnitude earthquake occurred at approximately 6:04 p.m. that day near the town of Morón on the Caribbean coast of northern Venezuela.

Just 39 seconds later, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake followed at a location about 45 km southwest of the first epicenter.

The USGS reported the depths of the earthquakes at 21.9 km for the first and 10 km for the second.

The epicenter is located about 160 km west of the capital, Caracas.

The powerful quakes caused buildings in Caracas to shake violently, prompting residents to evacuate in a hurry.

As June 24 was a public holiday in Venezuela, it is reported that many residents were at home when the earthquakes struck.

Videos captured by witnesses show severe damage to the exterior walls of some buildings.

Reports also indicated that power outages and internet disruptions occurred immediately following the quakes.

The footage shows rescue teams climbing over the rubble of collapsed buildings as night fell, and terrified residents calling for help to rescue their families.

Bloomberg reported that Venezuelan migrants living in neighboring countries such as Colombia struggled to contact their relatives, as mobile communication networks were cut off in some parts of Venezuela.

Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez appeared on state television to declare a national state of emergency in response to the powerful back-to-back earthquakes and more than 20 aftershocks.

While she expressed condolences to the families of the victims, she did not provide an exact number of deaths or injuries.

She also announced that the Simon Bolivar International Airport on the outskirts of Caracas has been closed.

The USGS estimated that the death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000, stating that there is a "high likelihood of significant casualties and widespread damage."

The USGS predicted a 40% probability of the death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000, and a 14% chance that it could exceed 100,000.

It also estimated that the economic losses from the earthquakes could reach 1% to 5% of Venezuela's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Tsunami warnings were briefly issued for neighboring Puerto Rico, as well as the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System warned that dangerous tsunami waves could also strike islands near the Venezuelan coast, including Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire.

Venezuela is located on the boundary where the Caribbean Plate to the north and the South American Plate to the south meet, making it a region with frequent seismic activity.

According to the USGS, an estimated 30,000 people died when a massive earthquake struck the Caracas and Merida regions of Venezuela in March 1812.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)