Venezuela earthquake: How long can trapped victims survive under rubble?

After a devastating double earthquake in Venezuela, tens of thousands of people are still believed to be missing, with many trapped under rubble. Nearly 1,500 people have been confirmed dead and the death toll is expected to rise. Aid agencies say the first 72 hours after a disaster are the most critical to finding people alive. But there is a lack of heavy machinery and specialised equipment needed to rescue people. Much of the emergency response is being carried out by volunteers and international aid workers from Turkey, the UK and France. BBC’s Global Affairs reporter Mimi Swaby gives us the latest update on the situation.

Against all odds, several videos online show miraculous stories of survival, like young infants and children being lifted from the rubble. Bill Murphy, a professor of engineering geology at the University of Leeds in the UK, tells us what increases the chances of survival in awful conditions like these.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producer: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde