Lithuanian rescue and medical teams arrive in Venezuela to begin operations
Lithuanian rescue and medical teams have successfully arrived in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and will soon begin operations in areas hardest hit by recent earthquakes, the government’s press service reported on Monday.
The teams will join an international search, rescue, and medical assistance operation. Lithuania has deployed two groups: a 20-member search and rescue team from the State Fire and Rescue Service, including two border guard dog handlers with service dogs and two medics, as well as a mobile emergency medical team consisting of 15 medical professionals and five firefighters serving in logistical roles.
The primary task of the Lithuanian rescuers is to search for and extract people from rubble, while the medical teams will provide emergency care to those affected by the disaster. The Lithuanian specialists will work alongside rescue forces from other countries, coordinated under the international civil protection system.
The teams brought with them a significant shipment of humanitarian aid and specialized rescue equipment, including acoustic and seismic detectors, thermal imaging cameras, ground-penetrating radar, search cameras, hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools, and other necessary equipment for locating and freeing people.
The deployment to Venezuela was made possible through cooperation with the German Armed Forces. The teams traveled by bus from Vilnius to Germany on Sunday, then flew from Wunstorf to Lajes and on to Caracas with the support of German military air transport. The mission was facilitated by close collaboration between Lithuanian institutions, the Lithuanian military, and German partners.
According to a preliminary assessment by NASA based on satellite data, last week’s two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, the strongest in the country in over a century—damaged or destroyed more than 58,000 buildings. The disasters killed approximately 1,700 people, with thousands more reported missing.