Photos and videos showed debris strewn on the streets. In some footage, people can be heard calling for help.

Chacao Mayor Gustavo Duque Saez told reporters that at least two buildings had completely collapsed in the area, which forms part of the greater metropolitan area of Caracas.

He said 18 people had been rescued alive and more than 500 emergency workers were on site trying to pull out more residents.

Fuel supplies into the city have been cut off and internet blackouts have also been reported.

Venezuela’s main international airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía – located on the outskirts of Caracas – has also been closed due to earthquake damage.

Metro and train services across the country have also been suspended, and school classes are also paused for the remainder of the week.

Rodríguez’s declaration of a state of emergency allows extra resources and personnel to be used for recovery efforts.

Many Venezuelans are spending the night on the street, with the country’s interior ministry urging people to leave damaged homes over concerns of building stability and gas lines possibly being affected.

A tsunami warning was issued for the coast of Venezuela and the islands of Aruba and Bonaire, but was later cancelled.