Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela within about a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse and damage in Caracas and surrounding cities.

The rare back-to-back quakes, known as a doublet, rank among the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in more than a century.

The death toll has climbed to more than 920, with thousands more injured, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said. The number of casualties is expected to climb.

(THE LATEST: Venezuela death toll surges)