Rescuers converge at Venezuela to assist with earthquake search and rescue

Rescue teams have begun arriving in the hard-hit Venezuelan city of La Guaira to assist with search and rescue operations after a pair of powerful earthquakes.

The number of dead and injured is expected to rise with thousands reported missing after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening, which was among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and was felt throughout the region.

Rescue teams arrived from Mexico, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

Officials say the quakes killed around 235 people and left at least 4,300 people injured.

Leaders from Mexico, Qatar, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Canada vowed to send aid.

A number of shipments were already on the way Thursday.

Aid included emergency and military personnel, canine and search teams, medical supplies, water purifiers, airplanes and drones.