Türkiye's rescue teams begin operations in Venezuela
Teams from Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and the Turkish Armed Forces have commenced search operations in Venezuela following twin earthquakes that killed more than 1,400 people, focusing their efforts on a collapsed 14-story building in La Guaira where survivors are believed to remain trapped under the rubble.
Teams deploy to La Guaira
Turkish rescue personnel from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Armed Forces began operations on Sunday in Venezuela's La Guaira state, one of the regions hardest hit by Wednesday's powerful twin earthquakes that have claimed over 1,400 lives. The teams moved to the La Paez neighborhood upon receiving reports that individuals may remain alive beneath the rubble of a collapsed 14-story building.
Scale of the disaster
The earthquakes struck 39 seconds apart on Wednesday evening, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, according to the US Geological Survey. The tremors caused widespread building collapses across Caracas and several states including Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcon. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez stated on Saturday that the death toll has risen to 1,430.
Search for survivors
Residents told rescue workers that the destroyed building contained 43 apartments, 41 of which were occupied when the quake hit. Local accounts said several people had been pulled alive from the debris earlier, with one survivor providing information about others still trapped underneath the wreckage. Operations continue alongside international teams working to locate additional survivors.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.