Vietnamese contingent recovers 23 earthquake victims from rubble in Venezuela

While carrying out search and rescue missions in Playa Grande (La Guaira State), on July 1 (local time), the Vietnamese contingent accurately identified 16 locations where victims remained trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Rescue personnel actively conducted operations at nine of those sites, recovering the victims' bodies and bringing the total number of victims recovered by the Vietnamese personnel to 23. The remaining seven locations were handed over to local authorities and on-site rescue forces for further operations.

This marks the third time that the Vietnam People's Army and the Ministry of Public Security have deployed personnel and equipment overseas to support international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Vietnamese contingent assisting earthquake response efforts in Venezuela consists of 124 members. 

In a related development, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a seven-day national mourning period in memory of those who lost their lives in the twin earthquakes, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on July 1 (local time).

Search and rescue operations on July 1 (local time)

Members of the Vietnamese contingent coordinate with local rescue personnel at the disaster site.

Victims' relatives provide information for the Vietnamese rescue team.

Search and rescue operations on July 1 (local time)

By Hoang Vu (from La Guaira, Venezuela)

Translated by Tran Hoai