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Rescue teams are racing to save hundreds believed trapped after twin powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. The death toll has climbed to 235, with widespread destruction, repeated aftershocks and international assistance arriving as authorities continue search and rescue operations

Caracas: Venezuela’s health ministry raised the death toll to at least 235 on Thursday evening after two powerful earthquakes struck the country.

Venezuela is racing against time to rescue hundreds believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings after twin powerful earthquakes left more than 200 people dead and many injured, while authorities warned the toll could rise further as rescuers struggled to reach the worst-hit areas.

The shallow earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and striking just 40 seconds apart on Wednesday, were the strongest to hit the South American country in more than a century and the deadliest in decades, Xinhua news agency reported.

They devastated parts of the country’s central coast and the capital, Caracas, triggering widespread building collapses, power and communication outages, while raising fears of further destruction from continuing aftershocks.

Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez told a press conference on Thursday that about 200 people remained trapped under the rubble.

“We are racing against time in the hope of rescuing as many people as possible,” Rodriguez said.

The earthquakes were both shallow, occurring at a depth of just 10 km, allowing much of their energy to be released near the surface.

The two strong shocks struck less than a minute apart, while repeated aftershocks have increased the risk of further building collapses.

The epicentres’ proximity to Caracas, one of the country’s most densely populated areas, further amplified the destruction.

Experts have noted that Venezuela has experienced no major earthquakes for roughly half a century, leaving many residents with limited disaster preparedness.

Years of underinvestment in infrastructure have also heightened concerns over the vulnerability of ageing buildings to strong seismic activity.

Rodriguez introduced three key measures for rescue and reconstruction efforts after two devastating earthquakes struck the country’s northern regions.

The acting president ordered the mobilisation of debris-removal equipment from private companies, the establishment of a 200-million-USD assistance fund, and the provision of special credit lines to affected business owners as essential measures in response to the powerful earthquakes, unseen for decades in the country’s history.

Meanwhile, the country is taking necessary steps to coordinate international assistance, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on Thursday.

At least a dozen countries from the region and other parts of the world have expressed solidarity and offered assistance.