Turkish planes depart for Venezuela with rescue and aid teams

Turkish military aircraft carrying search and rescue teams, medical personnel, and humanitarian aid departed from Istanbul for Venezuela on Friday after twin earthquakes killed at least 589 people. Speaking before the departure from Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Istanbul AFAD Director Haluk Özener outlined the relief mission: an A400M aircraft was allocated after consultations with the Turkish General Staff, which also assigned a second similar aircraft to transport a 20-member Humanitarian Aid Brigade team.

Personnel and equipment

Özener said the mission includes 37 AFAD search and rescue personnel from Istanbul, İzmir, and Denizli; a six-member National Medical Rescue Team; a two-member Turkish Red Crescent aid team; two search dogs; and three fully equipped search and rescue vehicles. Turkish authorities coordinated preparations, and contact with the Turkish Embassy in Venezuela continues. Additional support will be provided if needed. Özener noted that Türkiye has carried out humanitarian operations in 11 countries this year, and that many civil society organisations are also ready to deploy if requested.

Disaster response record

Citing global humanitarian aid reports, Özener added that Türkiye has long been among the world’s leading providers of humanitarian assistance. According to the US Geological Survey, magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 earthquakes struck Venezuela’s Yaracuy state 39 seconds apart on Wednesday. Venezuelan authorities reported at least 589 deaths, with search and rescue operations continuing. Türkiye’s rapid deployment reflects its extensive earthquake response experience and its commitment to international solidarity.