Mexico: Search for survivors

Rescue crews burrowing through the rubble of Mexico’s most lethal earthquake in a generation have been joined by volunteers and bystanders in the search for survivors.

More than 230 people are now believed to have died in Tuesday’s shallow 7.1 magnitude quake which caused major damage across several states in the centre of the country.

LATEST: More than 230 dead after Mexico earthquake as rescue teams desperately try to free trapped schoolchildren. https://t.co/da4xr8ejIk pic.twitter.com/6p8JKNcajv— ABC News (@ABC) September 21, 2017

President Enrique Peña Nieto has declared three days of mourning.

There have been moments of hope. In Mexico City more than 80 people have been pulled alive from destroyed buildings.

As the search goes on dogs, cameras, motion detectors and heat-seeking equipment are also being used to detect victims who may still be alive.

Dogs working in Mexico after deadly earthquakes are search and rescue all-stars https://t.co/YDkAQjhgT9 pic.twitter.com/AmEJ2Jj4YD— Critter Files (@CritterFiles) September 21, 2017

Reinforcements have also began to arrive from countries including Panama, Israel and Chile, local media reported.

Although its too early to asses the damage, initial reports suggest collapses were limited to mostly buildings that predated a devastating quake in 1985 after which regulations were changed.

But with dozens of buildings destroyed or unstable those who’ve been left homeless are in urgent need of help.