EU Deploys Rescue Teams to Venezuela After Devastating Earthquakes

The European Commission is deploying rescue teams and other emergency assistance to Venezuela after double earthquakes hit the country on Wednesday, leaving at least 1,430 people dead and more than 50,000 missing, according to the UN.

So far, 520 responders from eight EU Member States including Czechia, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands, have mobilised for deployment through the EU civil protection mechanism.

The EU has also activated its Copernicus satellite service to "emergency mapping mode", which provides free of charge data in cases of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

On Saturday, the first Italian Air Force landed in Venezuela transporting rescue teams coordinated by the Civil Protection and the Crisis Unit. In addition, more than one hundred Italian operators, including doctors and search experts, will be active on the ground to collaborate closely with local and international authorities.

According to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto a second plane is already prepared to depart to transport additional specialised personnel and firefighters to the affected areas.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced an initial allocation of five million euros in financial aid, earmarked for the Red Cross, Caritas, and the World Food Programme for relief efforts.

Spain's Minister of Defence wrote in a post on X that the Military Emergencies Unit is "working hard to provide the necessary assistance and capabilities in the earthquake's ground zero in #Venezuela." Adding, "The canine units and deployed personnel are working on preliminary reconnaissance and the search for survivors."

Meanwhile, 85 French search and rescue personnel arrived in Caracas where they will help with search and rescue operations.

The UK's Royal Air Force is also assisting by preparing aid packages to be deployed to Venezuela.

Turkey sent two military aircraft carrying search and rescue personnel, medical teams, and humanitarian aid.

The two powerful earthquakes struck the northern Yaracuy region within a minute of each other on Wednesday night, leaving unprecedented damage.