CARACAS – At least 32 people were killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes jolted Venezuela late Wednesday, the country's acting president said in an official update early Thursday.

Delcy Rodriguez said the coastal state of La Guaira in northern Venezuela was the hardest hit, describing it as a "disaster zone," where dozens of buildings had completely collapsed.

"La Guaira state is a true tragedy," Rodriguez said on Venezuelan state television.

The preliminary toll of 32 deaths and 700 injuries did not include La Guaira state, as connectivity problems are currently affecting the area, she said.

Rescue operations are ongoing as Venezuela declared a state of emergency following the strong earthquakes.

The acting president announced the closure of Maiquetia International Airport, the country's main airport on the central coast, after it sustained structural damage.

"I want to report that Maiquetia airport is closed due to serious damage to its infrastructure," Rodriguez said in her first address after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela.

Moments earlier, social media users had reported the collapse of part of the main roof of the airport, which serves the capital of Caracas.

Gustavo Duque, mayor of the Chacao municipality in Miranda state near Caracas, said on social media that two buildings in the city collapsed and 18 people were rescued alive.

The mayor also said more than 500 government personnel are currently on site carrying out rescue operations.

The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.1 quake at 2204 GMT on Wednesday, followed just one minute later by an even stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. Both struck near the coastal town of Moron, about 160 km west of Caracas.

The quakes were shallow with a depth of 10 km, which could intensify their destructive impact. The USGS said the two quakes are likely to result in high casualties and extensive damage.