Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 235, officials say

The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to around 235, according to the country's health minister speaking on state television, in a figure that has climbed steadily since the disaster. According to the reports, the toll had first been given at 32, then rose to 164 as the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, gave an updated count, was later raised to at least 188, and now stands at around 235 dead. More than 4,000 people are reported to have been injured, up from earlier figures of 971 and around 1,500, while tens of thousands remain reported missing. The two earthquakes struck at around 6pm local time on Wednesday, just 39 seconds apart, with the first measured at a magnitude of 7.2 and the second, even stronger, at 7.5, leaving entire city blocks in Caracas collapsed and the country's largest airport heavily damaged. The U.S. Southern Command has said it is working with the State Department to support a government relief operation, while one website compiling reports of missing and uncontactable people underlines the difficulty of accounting for everyone as the search continues.

The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to around 235, according to the country's health minister, as the scale of the disaster continues to come into focus. According to the reports, the minister gave the updated figure on state television, with the authorities raising the count as rescue teams reach more of the areas hit by the tremors.

The new total marks a dramatic jump from the first official estimate. According to the reports, the first estimate of the number of deaths had stood at 32, then rose to 164 as the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, gave an updated count, was later raised to at least 188, and now stands at around 235 people dead.

The quakes had hit in quick succession the previous evening. According to the report, the two earthquakes struck at around 6pm local time on Wednesday, just 39 seconds apart, with the first measured at a magnitude of 7.2 and the second, even stronger, recorded at a magnitude of 7.5.

Alongside the rising death toll, the number of injured has also climbed sharply. According to the reports, more than 4,000 people are now reported to have been injured, up from earlier figures of 971 and then around 1,500, placing further strain on the country's emergency services and hospitals as treatment of the wounded continues.

International help is beginning to be organised for the relief effort. According to the reports, the U.S. Southern Command has said it is working with the State Department to support a government relief operation, as foreign assistance is mobilised for a disaster that has left entire city blocks in Caracas collapsed and the country's largest airport heavily damaged.

Many families are still searching for missing relatives. According to the report, one website that is compiling details of people reported missing and uncontactable currently lists 11,482 people said to be out of contact, a figure that underlines the difficulty of accounting for everyone in the affected areas.

The disaster has compounded an already difficult situation in the country. According to the report, the earthquakes caused widespread devastation, and the authorities have been dealing with collapsed buildings and disrupted communications as rescue teams continue their search and the official figures are expected to be updated further.

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