Earthquakes in Venezuela kills at least 164

 Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declares a state of emergency after powerful back-to-back earthquakes kill at least 164 people and injure 900.

The U.S. Geological Survey, using predictive modelling, says the death toll could reach as high as 10,000.

Collapsing buildings and fears of aftershock send panicked residents into the streets as communities continue their search and rescue efforts.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes trigger evacuations across the region to as far as Brazil's Amazon, about 1,700 kilometres from Venezuela's capital Caracas.

Rescue workers pulling a person from the debris, while others celebrate the small victory of saving yet another from the destruction.

People remaining outside after authorities urged them to stay vigilant in light of possible aftershocks.

Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declares a state of emergency following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes Wednesday evening.

The seismic activity was among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake's epicentre was west of the community of Moron, located along the country's Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas.

The quake had a depth of 13 kilometres.

In her address to the nation, Rodriguez says the earthquakes caused damage in several states.

She confirms 20 aftershocks have been recorded since the quakes and the country's main international airport, the Simon Bolivar International Airport, and the subway are closed.

Classes are cancelled in the coming days, with the Ministry of Education using some schools as shelters and donation centres.

Rodriguez says a number of countries and organisations including the US, Panama, Qatar, as well as the UN, are offering their support to the country as search and rescue efforts continue.