The number of people killed in the two earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,719, the president of its National Assembly has said.  

Giving an address on state television, Jorge (HOR-HAY) Rodriguez said a further 5,034 people had been wounded in the disaster, which occurred shortly after 6pm local time last Wednesday.   

Earlier, a United Nations official said the organisation was preparing for the possibility of up to 10,000 deaths, with the bodies of many victims still believed to be trapped under rubble. 

Anton spoke to Peter Power, UNICEF Ireland’s Executive to get the latest.