The death toll from back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 235, the health ministry in the capital Caracas announced late on Thursday.
Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale shook northern and central Venezuela on Wednesday, just 39 seconds apart.
At least 4,300 people had been injured in the earthquakes, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said in an interview with state television.
"We've unfortunately received about 235 patients who arrive without vital signs or who pass away as they're arriving at our health centres," Alvarado said.
"The hospitals are full of patients and we have incorporated field hospitals."
International aid teams are preparing for deployment to Venezuela with offers of support from countries around the world. Germany, Switzerland, France Spain and Mexico are among those sending rescue workers to search for survivors.
The damage was particularly widespread in the state of La Guaira on the Caribbean coast. Buildings also collapsed in the capital, Caracas, and in other regions, according to officials.
