Lithuanian rescuers return from Venezuela mission

One of Lithuania’s two international rescue teams returned to Vilnius on Monday after completing a mission in Venezuela, LRT reports.

Gediminas Šukšta, the team leader, told journalists he was pleased with the safe return of his crew. He noted that plans often changed rapidly during operations, sometimes moving from “Plan A to Plan B, C, D, and beyond.”

The most challenging aspect of the mission was the extreme heat, which persisted from morning to night and caused health issues, including heat exhaustion. To adapt, the team adjusted its workflow, allowing members to rest in air-conditioned spaces near their base when not on active duty.

Šukšta said the team conducted search operations at eight locations, recovering seven bodies. In one case, sensors and rescue dogs detected signs of a possible survivor, prompting an overnight effort that ultimately did not confirm the presence of a living person.

He compared the scale of destruction to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, where Lithuania also deployed rescuers, but noted key differences. In Venezuela, many buildings had collapsed completely—what rescuers call a “pancake” collapse—leaving almost no chance of survival. In Turkey, by contrast, voids in the rubble had allowed for more successful rescues.

Two medical team members remain in Venezuela to continue emergency response work. Acting Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius said Lithuania would consider sending another team if requested.

The second group of rescuers is expected to return on Thursday.