Vietnam dispatches rescue teams to earthquake-stricken Venezuela

In addition to the rescue teams, the flight transported eight search-and-rescue dogs and around 40 metric tons of specialized equipment, rescue vehicles, and humanitarian supplies for search, rescue, and relief operations. 

Operating as flight VN66, the aircraft was scheduled to make a technical stop at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France before continuing to Arturo Michelena International Airport in Venezuela, where it was expected to arrive at 11:40 am local time on Monday. 

Vietnam Airlines assigned a crew of five pilots, 13 flight attendants, three engineers, and two ground service staff to operate the special mission. 

The airline said it plans to operate a second flight in the coming days to transport additional personnel, equipment, and relief supplies to Venezuela. 

On Sunday, Vietnam's Border Guard Command held a departure ceremony for a rescue team heading to Venezuela.

Under a decision by the Ministry of National Defense, Vietnam is deploying personnel, equipment, and humanitarian supplies to assist search-and-rescue operations and post-earthquake recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken country.

Major General Nguyen Duc Manh, deputy commander of the Vietnam Border Guard, said the magnitude-7.2 and magnitude-7.5 earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 caused devastating casualties and widespread property damage.

He said Vietnam's decision to send rescue forces reflects the country's tradition of solidarity and compassion, as well as the foreign policy and international responsibility of the Party, state, and people of Vietnam toward the global community.

The mission also demonstrates the professionalism and growing international standing of the Vietnam People's Army, particularly the Border Guard, while helping strengthen the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Venezuela, he added.

Manh stressed that participating in the mission was both a great honor and a significant responsibility entrusted to the team by the Party, the state, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Vietnamese people.

He said all members had been carefully selected based on their professional expertise, moral qualities, physical fitness, and extensive experience in domestic and international search-and-rescue operations.

The deputy commander instructed the team to strictly comply with Vietnam's foreign policy, domestic laws, and the regulations of the host country.

He also urged members to uphold the image of the Vietnam People's Army, maintain unity and discipline, remain adaptable under all circumstances, and ensure the safety of themselves and their teammates while carrying out rescue operations.

On the same day, the Ministry of Public Security also held a departure ceremony for its rescue contingent heading to Venezuela.

The team is primarily composed of officers from the fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue police force and is equipped with specialized rescue equipment, victim detection devices, medical supplies, and logistical support to enable immediate deployment upon arrival. 

At the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Public Security, expressed his deepest condolences to the Venezuelan government, people, and the families of those affected by the disaster.

He said Vietnam's prompt deployment of rescue personnel demonstrates international solidarity, humanitarian responsibility, and the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Venezuela.

Tuyen instructed the team to remain disciplined, united, and closely coordinate with local authorities while prioritizing the safety of all personnel alongside urgent rescue efforts.

He noted that every member of the mission not only carries out a specific assignment but also represents the compassionate and responsible image of Vietnam, always ready to assist international friends in times of need.

The Ministry of Public Security's delegation, established in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense, consists of specialists experienced in urban search and rescue, emergency medicine, communications, logistics, and rescue command.

Estela del Valle Quijada Suarez, chargé d'affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy in Vietnam, thanked the Party, state, government, and Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam for their timely assistance.

She said the presence of Vietnam's rescue teams during one of Venezuela's most difficult moments symbolizes not only practical support but also the friendship, solidarity, and close ties between the peoples of the two countries.

She expressed confidence that the Vietnamese teams would help earthquake victims overcome the crisis and wished all members a safe and successful mission.

Dozens of tonnes of relief supplies prepared

Vietnam also completed preparations for a large shipment of humanitarian aid.

According to the General Department of Logistics and Technical Services, by Sunday afternoon, some 65 metric tons of food, drinking water, medicines, and equipment had been inspected, sorted, and carefully packed.

Following instructions from the department's leadership, 22 Joint Stock Company mobilized its entire workforce to operate around the clock in three shifts, producing 50 metric tons of compressed emergency rations, three metric tons of canned meat, and 3,000 liters of clean drinking water for disaster relief.

The supplies were transported to Noi Bai International Airport for loading onto the relief flight.

The ‌death toll from the twin earthquakes in Venezuela neared 1,500 people as foreign rescue teams poured into La Guaira, the hardest-hit state in the country.

Dozens of buildings collapsed into piles of sand and rubble in the coastal state, about 40 km (25 miles) north of Caracas, Reuters reported.