Tehran: The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has expressed its readiness to dispatch specialized rescue and medical teams to Venezuela following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the South American country, leaving at least 32 people dead and around 700 others injured.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a message to the president of the Venezuelan Red Cross, IRCS President Pir-Hossein Kolivand extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and emergency responders.

Kolivand stated that the Iranian Red Crescent stands with the people of Venezuela during the difficult circumstances and is fully prepared to send rescue and medical teams to the affected areas if needed. He also wished success and resilience to Venezuelan Red Cross personnel involved in relief operations.

The latest official figures announced by Venezuela's interim government indicate that at least 32 people have been killed and nearly 700 others hospitalized after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country within less than a minute of each other on Wednesday. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue, with the coastal state of La Guaira suffering the heaviest damage.

A nationwide state of emergency has been declared as emergency crews continue to search for survivors.