[Anchor]

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes, both exceeding magnitude 7, struck Venezuela in South America at an interval of just 39 seconds this morning (June 25) Korean time. As buildings collapsed in an instant, at least 1,000 casualties have been reported so far.

Reporter Yu Deok-gi reports on the terrifying moments when the earthquakes struck.

[Reporter]

Buildings collapse with a deafening roar.

Amidst a storm of dust, terrified people cling to each other to hold on.

The ceiling structure of Maiquetía International Airport near the Venezuelan capital of Caracas also collapsed.

Citizens scream as they desperately try to evacuate.

[Wilmer Azuaje / Former Venezuelan National Assembly Member: It's shaking. It's shaking. Everything is destroyed.]

As the city shakes, exterior walls and roofs crumble, and citizens barely manage to escape.

Citizens who were inside their homes run outside in shock.

The earthquakes struck the Caribbean coast of northern Venezuela around 6 p.m. local time on the 24th.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred 168 km west of the capital, Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake 45 km away from the epicenter of the first tremor.

Huge clouds of dust were seen rising into the sky due to the powerful vibrations that shook the city.

[Caracas Resident: The walls were shaking, and it felt like being underwater. It was like a boat shaking while in the water.]

The damage from the earthquakes was particularly severe in La Guaira State.

The interior facilities of a luxury apartment complex on the coast were completely destroyed, turning it into a scene of devastation, and dozens of buildings collapsed, including a well-known local hotel that buckled under the tremors.

The Venezuelan government stated that at least 164 people have died and 971 have been injured so far.

Video Editing: Kim Jun-hee | Graphics: Kim Han-gil