The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, who disclosed this in a televised broadcast on Saturday, also reported 3,238 injuries following Wednesday’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.

He noted that more than 3,000 others were left homeless, adding that 432 aftershocks had been recorded.

Mr Rodriguez had earlier said that 920 people had died, with at least 172 people still believed to be trapped in the rubble.

With rescue efforts underway, hundreds of buildings collapsed as the earthquakes ripped through La Guaira state, Venezuela’s port town, and parts of Caracas, the capital of the South American country.

Mr Rodriguez advised people to avoid La Guaira, which he said was “the most devastated” of all the areas affected by the disaster.

“Avoid to go to the state of La Guaira in order to facilitate rescue efforts. The place has been heavily militarised. Allow us to do our job. If you want to help us, stay at home,” he added.

Since the incident occurred, emergency responders, including teams from across the European Union, had commenced search operations in the nation’s hardest-hit areas.

The international community, including the United Nations, the American government and the Catholic Pope, had also sympathised with Venezuela over the devastating earthquakes, pledging support for the country.