The toll from the twin powerful earthquakes in Venezuela increased to 235 on Thursday, AFP quoted the country’s health ministry as saying.

At least 4,300 persons were injured, AP reported.

The two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the South American country on Wednesday. Videos posted on social media showed several collapsed buildings and damage at the airport in the capital city of Caracas. Operations were underway to rescue persons trapped under the debris.

The La Guaira region near the capital was the hardest-hit, the country’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez said.

The epicentres of both the quakes were close to Caracas, the United States Geological Survey said.

The first quake occurred at 6 pm local time at a depth of nearly 22 km. The second struck a minute later at a depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes tend to be more destructive.

The “doublet” earthquake was the most powerful to occur in the region in 126 years. There were several aftershocks.

The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and said that the Maiquetia airport in Caracas would close following “serious damage”.

Several countries, including India, offered assistance.

France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Mexico were among the countries sending specialists and rescue teams to Venezuela, AFP reported.

The US said it was sending a disaster assistance response team, which includes specialised urban search and rescue groups focused on locating and reaching survivors. The US will also mobilise $150 million in aid, the Department of State said.

Edited by Sara Varghese.