IN PHOTOS: The aftermath of the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes that struck Venezuela within a minute

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within about a minute of each other on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning, Philippine time), causing buildings to collapse and damage in Caracas. The rare back-to-back tremors, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, rank among the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in more than a century.

The back-to-back quakes killed at least 32 people and injured at least 700, the nation's acting president said, as communities across the South American country sustained damage.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas.

Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation and said the quakes caused damage in several states. The casualty figures released excluded the state of La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and the area hardest hit.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Caracas, and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said.

The earthquakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities and areas impacted as far as Brazil’s Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Venezuela's capital Caracas.

Venezuela’s state-run VTV showed footage early Thursday of three children, covered in dust but alive, being pulled from the rubble in hard-hit La Guaira. The broadcaster also said a hospital in the city of Tucacas, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of Caracas, suffered damage and showed images of dozens of people in what seemed like medical garb in front of the building.

The earthquakes damaged and closed Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas, the country’s main airport, Rodríguez said, adding that subway and natural gas services in Caracas were canceled. She urged Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app.

Rodríguez said school classes would be canceled for several days. The Ministry of Education said some school buildings would be used as shelters and donation centers.

“We urge our population to remain calm,” said Rodríguez, who asked health care professionals to report to hospitals to assist the injured. “We urge unity.”