At least 32 people have been confirmed dead and over 700 injured following two back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported two major tremors, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, striking an area west of the capital on Wednesday. These were followed by at least 20 aftershocks.

The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and large-scale rescue operations are currently underway.

Power outages occurred in Caracas and La Guaira, and there were water supply problems in several states. The supply of gas was also temporarily suspended in the affected areas.