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LA GUAIRA/CARACAS, Venezuela, June 26 (Reuters) - Foreign rescue and relief teams are pouring into Venezuela on Friday, nearly two days after two devastating earthquakes flattened parts of the capital Caracas and surrounding area, forcing residents to dig through the rubble to rescue relatives, friends, and neighbors.

The government estimated that hundreds remained trapped and missing, in addition to 589 confirmed deaths and 2,980 injuries. A website set up to receive reports about missing persons had received 50,000 reports by this morning.

The two earthquakes struck about 160 kilometers west of Caracas on Wednesday evening, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, on a public holiday.

The U.S. Geological Survey predicted that the death toll would exceed 10,000, making the two earthquakes among the most violent in Latin America in the past 100 years .

The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after the United States arrested her predecessor in a raid in January, pledged to deploy aid on a large scale.

However, the pace of aid delivery varied on Thursday, as authorities, such as firefighters, police, civil protection and the army, took to the streets in some places, but were absent or had a minimal presence in others.

The coastal city of La Guaira, near Caracas, was among the worst affected areas, with at least 100 buildings collapsing, including high-rise residential buildings.

Bereaved residents, many of whom were digging through the rubble with their bare hands or whatever tools they could find, criticized the lack of government assistance and proper equipment, even though state television showed images of Rodriguez making an afternoon visit and pledging to provide help.

"He is under the rubble and there is no equipment to get him out," said Yamileth Jimenez of her 19-year-old son, who is trapped under the rubble of their seven-story apartment building in La Guaira.

Alongside the researchers amidst the rubble, Venezuelans rushed to provide emergency aid to the earthquake victims, as convoys of motorcycles loaded with supplies arrived in La Guaira last night from Caracas.

Dozens of people traveled on motorcycles throughout the night from the city of Valencia, carrying food and supplies with them.

Foreign rescue teams, including some from countries that have opposed Venezuela during decades of international isolation, political repression and economic decline, began arriving late last night, with a small team from the Dominican Republic being the first to reach La Guaira.

Several countries, including India and Switzerland, sent rescue teams and supplies. Mexico sent 250 rescue personnel, El Salvador 188, and Spain nearly 100. A Colombian Air Force plane carrying 63 rescue crew members was en route to Venezuela this morning.

The United States announced it was mobilizing $150 million in aid and eased long-standing sanctions on the socialist country to allow assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The US military announced that it had sent two ships and would use helicopters and aircraft in search and rescue efforts.

Pedro Pérez, 64, an upholsterer, said he lost his home and livelihood and is sleeping on the street with his wife and children. "We've lost everything," he added. "We hope aid arrives quickly."

Near the epicenter in Moron, a coastal town in Carabobo state, houses collapsed and residents faced water and electricity outages. Families tried to salvage what they could of their belongings, such as mattresses, televisions, and washing machines.