Czech rescue team departs for Venezuela after deadly earthquakes

A 70-member Czech Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, accompanied by eight specially trained search dogs, departs for Venezuela on Saturday to assist with rescue efforts following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday. The team is expected to arrive later that day and will begin searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Team commander Petr Vodička said the devastation resembles what Czech rescuers encountered after the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. While some buildings appear to have been completely destroyed, others could still contain survivors, he said. After arriving in Venezuela, the team will coordinate with local authorities before deploying to its assigned search area.

Venezuela requested international assistance after the disaster, with Czechia among the first countries to respond. According to the latest figures, the earthquakes have claimed 920 lives and injured more than 3,300 people. Transport for the heavy rescue team was secured with the help of NATO and the Czech Army.