At least 235 people have died, and about 4,300 have been injured in the twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela on Wednesday.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday said the 7.5- and 7.2-magnitude earthquakes that hit the country in quick succession have killed at least 164 people and injured 971.

Later in the day, however, Venezuela’s Health Minister, Carlos Alvarado, on state broadcaster VTV, said the death toll from the earthquakes had reached 235 as of 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Mr Alvarado said over 4,300 people were injured as a result of the earthquakes. But most injuries were minor.

The earthquakes collapsed hundreds of buildings as they tore through La Guaira state, Venezuela’s port town, and parts of Caracas, the country’s capital.

Ms Rodríguez, who toured the affected areas on Thursday, declared La Guaira a “disaster zone.”

“We are supporting the families and extending our solidarity,” she said, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing in the areas affected by the earthquakes.

The international community has sympathised with Venezuela over the devastating earthquakes.

UN emergency relief chief Tom Fletcher on Thursday called for an urgent and effective response to manage the humanitarian crisis caused by the earthquakes.

“I’m in constant contact with our team in Caracas, led by Humanitarian Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla, to ensure a swift and effective response,” Mr Fletcher said. “He has spoken this morning to the interim President, and we are urgently assessing what is needed. Our team in Venezuela is working with the authorities to identify priorities.”

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump promised support for Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has donated 100,000 euros in aid to Venezuela.

The money is “a first step”, and more aid will follow “in response to the needs identified by the local Church”, the Vatican said.