Earthquake-hit Venezuela sees intensive work by Lithuanian rescue and medical teams

Lithuanian rescue and medical teams are working intensively in Venezuela following the devastating earthquake, according to a government statement cited by LRT.

The State Fire and Rescue Service’s international search and rescue team (LERT) is conducting search operations in destroyed settlements, while the Mobile Emergency Medical Team (EMT) is providing urgent medical assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Conditions in the disaster zone remain challenging, but hopes of finding survivors persist, rescue team members said. Lithuanian forces are working alongside international partners, using intelligence from reconnaissance teams to locate the missing.

“The more rescuers there are, the higher the chance of success. We will continue our work as long as we are needed,” said Gediminas Šukšta, head of the rescue team.

Lithuania’s EMT has set up a mobile field hospital in Los Caracas, near a camp housing around 2,500 displaced residents, to provide medical care to those who have lost their homes.

During a meeting on Wednesday, the teams briefed Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre on the situation, confirming that both units are well-equipped and able to operate effectively. A significant shipment of humanitarian aid and specialised rescue equipment was also delivered to Venezuela on Tuesday.

The earthquake in Venezuela has claimed at least 2,000 lives, with tens of thousands still missing, and many in need of medical assistance. The Lithuanian mission is being coordinated by the National Crisis Management Centre.