Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela in rapid succession, causing buildings to collapse in the capital Caracas and causing panic among residents. The first quake had a magnitude of 7.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicenter was about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas, west of the community of Morón on the country's Caribbean coast. The quake was 22 kilometers (13 miles) deep.

The USGS said a second, even stronger, magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck less than a minute later. The second quake was 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep and its epicenter was 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón.

"There is a potential for significant casualties and widespread material damage, and the disaster could be widespread," the USGS said. 

The AP news agency said the quake was one of the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The quake struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time. People in Caracas were forced to evacuate their shaking buildings and take shelter in the open.  Entire walls of houses had collapsed and furniture was visible from the street. Clouds of dust were seen billowing in two areas of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are usually busy. People were still out on the streets after sunset. Some were hugging their pets and sitting on the ground, dust billowing around them.

"At first the tremors were light, then they got stronger and we all had to leave our homes and gather in one place," said Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the tremors were felt in several states across the country. He said houses and buildings in the Altamira area of ​​Caracas had collapsed and the situation was alarming. He urged the public to give way to ambulances and other rescue vehicles, saying people could be injured by the earthquake.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for the Virgin Islands. Officials in the Dominican Republic also issued a warning for their island.