Czech rescue team returns from Venezuela earthquake mission

A Czech urban search and rescue team has returned home after helping with earthquake response efforts in Venezuela. The 70-member USAR unit searched around 40 damaged buildings and recovered the bodies of five victims, but found no survivors. Rescue operations were complicated by temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity, while several firefighters and search dogs suffered minor injuries. The mission marked the first deployment of the Czech Republic’s heavy USAR team to South America. The self-sufficient unit also included military medical staff and a police officer, using drones, seismic detectors, cameras and rescue dogs to search collapsed buildings.