Rescue work underway in Venezuela as state of emergency declared over earthquakes

CARACAS -- Rescue operations are ongoing as Venezuela on Wednesday declared a state of emergency following strong earthquakes that could result in high casualties and extensive damage.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced the closure of Maiquetia International Airport, the country's main airport on the central coast, after it sustained structural damage.

"I want to report that Maiquetia airport is closed due to serious damage to its infrastructure," Rodriguez said in her first address after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela.

Moments earlier, social media users had reported the collapse of part of the main roof of the airport, which serves the capital of Caracas.

Gustavo Duque, mayor of the Chacao municipality in Miranda state near Caracas, said on social media that two buildings in the city collapsed and 18 people were rescued alive.

The mayor also said more than 500 government personnel are currently on site carrying out rescue operations.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.1 quake at 2204 GMT on Wednesday, followed just one minute later by an even stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. Both struck near the coastal town of Moron, about 160 km west of Caracas.

The quakes were shallow with a depth of 10 km, which could intensify their destructive impact. The USGS said the two quakes are likely to result in high casualties and extensive damage.