A specialist British search and rescue team has arrived in Venezuela to aid in the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes that have left nearly 1,000 people dead. The 68-member team, comprising firefighters and experts from across the UK, departed from RAF Brize Norton on Friday evening aboard a Royal Air Force plane, carrying vital equipment including sniffer dogs and advanced drones.
The deployment comes as Venezuela grapples with the fallout from twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude respectively, which struck seconds apart on Wednesday. The epicentre was located approximately 100 miles west of the capital, Caracas. The British Government has also committed £2 million in humanitarian funding to support the relief efforts, recognising the immense scale of the disaster that has displaced tens of thousands of people.
Reports from the ground indicate that hospitals in the worst-hit regions are struggling to cope, facing critical shortages of medical supplies as they treat the injured. The human toll continues to rise, with a dedicated website for reporting missing persons recording over 52,000 individuals as uncontactable by Friday evening. Buildings have been levelled, and there is an urgent demand for aid supplies among those left homeless by the catastrophe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed the UK's solidarity with Venezuela, stating, "My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week's devastating earthquakes. The UK stands in solidarity with all those affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods." The UK team's deployment is coordinated by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, with additional support from humanitarian, medical, and security specialists.
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Friday that the region has experienced 215 aftershocks since the initial tremors. A state of emergency has been declared across the country, with significant disruptions to airport, rail, and other transport services compounding the challenges for rescue and aid operations. Hundreds of international aid workers are converging on the South American nation to bolster the ongoing search for survivors amidst the rubble.