Seven firefighters from the London Fire Brigade have joined a UK-wide response team that is working to rescue earthquake victims in Venezuela.
More than 1,900 people have been killed by the back-to-back quakes that struck the nation last Wednesday 24 June, with the UN warning that the death toll could reach 10,000.
UK International Search and Rescue (UK-ISAR), which is the UK’s official government response to global humanitarian disasters, has sent a team of firefighters to assist Venezuela’s efforts in rescuing those caught up in the catastrophe.
Rescue dogs have also been sent to detect signs of life beneath the rubble – more than 43,000 people remain unaccounted for.
Station commander Ian Simpson, who is the Brigade’s UK-ISAR team coordinator, and currently in Venezuela, said: “There is a lot of devastation which is quite shocking to see first-hand.
“The team are working really hard and doing their very best in difficult circumstances with 100% humidity.
“Thankfully, local people are assisting us on the ground and helping us locate those who need rescuing.”
London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “I am very proud of our seven staff who deployed with little notice.
“It is a great honour to have our staff join the rescue effort as part of the UK-ISAR team.”
They will be joining aid and assistance groups already active in Venezuela, including those sent from across the Americas as well as 25 UN-certified rescue teams.
The United States has mobilised $150 million in aid and deployed more than 900 military personnel to the country – a high-stakes mission given Trump’s slashing of the USAID budget and the 3 January raid that deposed Venezuelan President Maduro.
On X, US-backed interim leader Delcy Rodriguez expressed her gratitude to several world leaders for the outpouring of international support given to the country.
Featured image credit: UK-ISAR / London Fire Brigade
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