Factors like the short interval between the two powerful quakes and different types of soil led to some structures collapsing while others stayed standing.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake and a 7.5-magnitude were less than a minute apart, said the U.S. Geological Survey. The second earthquake was the largest to hit the country since 1900.

A second powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 has struck Venezuela. The U.S Geological Survey says the second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was 16 kilomoters (10 miles) southwest of the city of Morón,

A Caracas resident told CBS News that he "started to pray" when he felt the first earthquake hit Venezuela.

Horrifying video from the streets of El Junquito, Venezuela shows buildings crumbling like matchsticks into clouds of choking brown smoke after a pair of violent earthquakes rattled the country.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the desperate search would continue as officials warned the death toll would likely climb.

A woman was seen waving for help from the top of a heavily damaged building as rescue crews raced to find survivors after twin powerful earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, with dramatic footage of the aftermath becoming one of the defining images of the disaster.