Thousands of Venezuelans were feared dead on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks.

As pledges of aid pour in from around the world, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency.

Twin 7-magnitude earthquakes have hit Venezuela, causing buildings to collapse in Caracas, with warnings of further powerful aftershocks.

US Geological Survey estimates 44 per cent chance fatalities could exceed 10,000

Acting president says at least 32 people killed and hundreds more injured