UK search team joins Venezuela earthquake rescue effort

British expert search and rescue teams were sent to Venezuela, where the death toll in two major earthquakes on Wednesday approached 1,000.

A Royal Air Force plane carrying 68 personnel and equipment including detection dogs and drones took off from Brize Norton air base on Friday evening to join an international rescue operation.

The British government announced that it will provide a £2 million humanitarian aid fund for Venezuela, where tens of thousands of people were displaced due to twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred seconds apart.

The epicenter of the deadly earthquakes was about 100 miles (160 km) west of the capital, Caracas.

Hundreds of aid workers have arrived or are traveling to the South American country to join the search for survivors.

Hospitals in the worst-hit areas are overwhelmed by shortages of critical supplies.

A website where people can register their loved ones as missing noted that more than 52,000 people could not be reached as of 21:00 GMT Friday.

The UK rescue team brings together firefighters and experts from across the UK and is coordinated by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service with support from the RAF.

Humanitarian aid, medical and security experts also participated in the operation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week’s devastating earthquakes.

“The UK stands in solidarity with all those affected, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.”

On Friday, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said 215 aftershocks had been recorded since the earthquakes.

While a state of emergency was declared, airport, railway and transportation services were stopped.

Buildings were destroyed due to earthquakes and there was a great demand for relief materials among the homeless.