Venezuela earthquakes live updates: Death toll rises to at least 589, with thousands injured, acting president says

 

At least 589 people were killed and more than 2,900 were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, officials said on Friday.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Responders are undertaking "intensive rescue operations" on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.

Key HeadlinesAt least 589 dead, 2,980 injured in dual quakes, acting president says

At least 589 people were killed and another 2,980 were injured in the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela late on Wednesday, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in an update on Friday, according to state media.

According to the EFE news agency, at least 18 foreign nationals were among those who were killed in the quakes. The victims reportedly included nine people from Portugal, three from Spain, two from Brazil, two from China and two from Chile.

The country's health minister told state media late on Thursday that at least 4,300 people were injured. It was not immediately clear why the figure Rodriguez gave on Friday was lower.

-ABC News' Jamie Dorrington, Herminia Fernandez and Kevin Shalvey

Death toll rises to at least 235 with at least 4,300 injured: Health minister

The death toll from the pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to at least 235, according to the country's health minister, who spoke on state media.

At least 4,300 people were injured, according to the latest figures provided by the official.

Death toll rises to at least 235 with at least 4,300 injured: Health minister

The death toll from the pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to at least 235, according to the country's health minister, who spoke on state media.

At least 4,300 people were injured, according to the latest figures provided by the official.

US 'surging' military assets to assist in Venezuela

U.S. Southern Command said it is "surging" military forces in the region to assist in earthquake relief efforts.

Two U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the Caribbean have been assigned to support the U.S. quake relief operations in Venezuela that are being led by the State Department, the command said.

The amphibious ships USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ships USS Billings are being moved closer to Venezuela to provide assistance.