Caracas, June 26 (SANA)The death toll from twopowerful earthquakesthat struckVenezuelaon Wednesday has risen to 235, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Friday, as rescue teams continued search operations and authorities assessed the extent of the damage.

Alvarado told state television that about 235 people had been confirmed dead after arriving at medical facilities or dying shortly after arrival, up from the previously reported toll of 188.

The two earthquakes, which struck on Wednesday local time, measured magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

TheUnited Nationshas called for urgent international assistance, saying Venezuela will require a large-scale coordinated response to recover from the disaster.