Turkish search and rescue teams have begun operations on Sunday in Venezuela following the powerful twin earthquakes that struck the country.

Teams from Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Armed Forces arrived in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes.

The teams moved to the La Paez neighbourhood after receiving reports that people may still be alive under the rubble of a collapsed 14-story building.

Search and rescue operations are being carried out in coordination with international teams working in the region.

Residents said the collapsed building had 43 apartments, 41 of which were occupied.

They also said some people had previously been rescued alive from the rubble and that one rescued person provided information about others still trapped under the debris.

On Wednesday evening, the US Geological Survey reported that two earthquakes struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

The quakes caused building collapses in the capital Caracas, and several states, including Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcon.

The death toll has risen to 1,430, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Saturday.