Czech urban search and rescue team to help out in earthquake-hit Venezuela

A Czech urban search and rescue team will travel to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country overnight on Wednesday. Venezuelan authorities accepted the Czech offer of assistance on Thursday afternoon, according to the Czech Fire Rescue Service (HZS).

Further details, including the size of the team and its departure date, are expected to be announced later.

The earthquakes, which hit an area west of Caracas, caused dozens of buildings to collapse. According to current reports, at least 164 people have been killed and 971 injured.

The Czech USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team has previously assisted in the aftermath of earthquakes and other natural disasters in a number of countries, including Iran, Moldova, Tajikistan, Japan, Jordan, the Philippines, Serbia, Nepal, Thailand, Georgia, Greece and Türkiye.