By Jonathan Charles BBC correspondent in Algiers

Brick by brick, piece by piece, the clearing of rubble and the search for survivors is a slow process.

A mountain of concrete and glass is all that remains of a 10-storey block of flats in the town of Reghaia.

The rescue work is painstakingly slow

There I watched as hundreds of people tried to clear away the debris, forming human chains, hoping to reach those who might be trapped.

It was really painstaking work, because they knew that if they moved too quickly, they could dislodge a piece of concrete and send it crashing down on anyone who might still be alive underneath all that rubble.

So far, though, all they have discovered is bodies, which is very depressing for people as they struggle on.

Despair and anger

I have to say, I think the chances of bringing more people out alive are very, very slim. It's now many hours since the earthquake hit, and the building seems to have come down with devastating force.

It was once home to hundreds of families. I think its now almost certainly their grave, and many people around me thought that as well - some extemely distressed people.

More pictures

One told us that the next-door neighbours were probably underneath a load of rubble, people he had known for decades. To suddenly to lose them was really more than he could bear.

Many people I spoke to were angry. They said their flats would not have collapsed if they had been built to higher standards, and accuse the builders of corruption and the government of failing to care.

The authorities here also seem short of the equipment required, as they race against the clock.

Dog rescue

At most of the sites I visited, people were digging with their bare hands. International emergency teams now arriving here should help to remedy the lack of technology and experience.

There are teams arriving from the UK, Switzerland and Austria. We were talking to one Austrian team - they brought their dogs with them.

These dogs are specially trained - they can sniff out any sign of human life beneath a large amount of rubble, and so are a very important part of this rescue effort.

Their handlers expect that in the next few days, these dogs will save many lives.

However, I have to say that one of the Austrian workers did comment that time was crucial - as every second passes, the chance of saving people diminishes.