Vietnamese SAR contingent recovers 54 earthquake victims in Venezuela

To date, the Vietnamese contingent has recovered a total of 54 earthquake victims.

During the day, the Vietnamese officers assisted local residents in moving their belongings and continued providing free medical examinations and medicines to affected communities.

Vietnamese and Venezuelan rescue personnel recover the body of a victim from a collapsed structure, July 4 (local time).

Earlier, on the morning of July 3 (local time), Vietnamese rescuers, in coordination with Venezuelan rescue forces, detected what was believed to be signs of life inside a collapsed building in Playa Grande using specialized search equipment. Rescue teams from both sides immediately launched a round-the-clock search operation in a race against time.

Oscar Fernandez, a local resident, expresses gratitude to the Vietnamese soldiers for helping locate and recover his mother’s body from the collapsed building, July 4 (local time).

Oscar Fernandez thanks Vietnamese soldiers for helping recover his mother's body from the collapsed structure.

The search effort drew significant attention from local authorities and residents. Visiting the scene on the night of July 3, Nayade Lockiby Belmonte, Commander of the Venezuelan Militia Forces, expressed appreciation for Vietnam's decision to deploy a SAR contingent to support Venezuela in its earthquake consequence relief. He highly commended the close cooperation between the Vietnam People's Army and Venezuelan forces in the search for victims, affirming that Venezuela would continue to provide every possible facilitation for the Vietnamese contingent throughout its mission.

After many hours of intensive efforts, the Vietnamese rescuers reached the suspected location in the early hours of July 4 (local time). Every corner of the area was carefully searched; however, no evidence of survivors was found.

Although the operation could not deliver the hoped-for miracle, the search team of Vietnam demonstrated something equally valuable. They are unwavering dedication, humanitarian spirit beyond borders, and reliable support for friends in times of hardship.

Vietnamese soldiers work through the night to clear access to the location where possible signs of life has been detected.

Vietnamese soldiers open an access route toward the location detected possible signs of life, on the night of July 3 (local time).

Commander of the Venezuelan Militia Forces Nayade Lockiby Belmonte visits the operation site together with the personnel of the SAR contingent of Vietnam on the night of July 3 (local time).

Major General Pham Van Ty, head of the Vietnamese SAR contingent, speaks with Commander Nayade Lockiby Belmonte at the operation site on the night of July 3 (local time).

Major General Pham Van Ty briefs victims' relatives on the results of the search operation in the early hours of July 4 (local time).

Hoang Vu (from La Guaira, Venezuela)

Translated by Mai Huong