UK Sends 68 Rescuers to Venezuela as 7.2 and 7.5 Quakes Kill Nearly 1,000
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 26
UK Sends 68 Rescuers to Venezuela as 7.2 and 7.5 Quakes Kill Nearly 1,000
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 26
Summary
A Royal Air Force plane left Brize Norton on Friday carrying 68 British search-and-rescue personnel, sniffer dogs and drones to join the international operation in Venezuela.
Nearly 1,000 people have died after twin 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck seconds apart about 100 miles west of Caracas, displacing tens of thousands and overwhelming hospitals short of critical supplies.
The UK also announced £2 million in humanitarian aid as hundreds of foreign responders head to Venezuela, where a state of emergency is in force and airport, rail and other transport services have been halted.
More than 52,000 people were listed as uncontactable by Friday evening, underscoring the scale of the search as Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said 215 aftershocks had already been recorded.
Can this earthquake force Venezuela to rebuild its society, not just its collapsed buildings?
Is massive US aid a true lifeline or a strategic play for influence in the new Venezuela?
Venezuela’s Deadliest Earthquakes in 60 Years: 235 Dead, Thousands Injured, and a Strained Global Relief Effort
Overview
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was hit by its worst earthquakes in nearly sixty years, devastating the northern states and triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Hundreds were killed or trapped, and thousands injured, as rescue teams and residents searched for survivors. The disaster prompted a swift international response: China pledged support, the US eased sanctions to allow aid, and organizations like the Red Cross and Airlink mobilized resources. The UK ensured the safety of its citizens after embassy damage. These efforts highlight the urgent need for coordinated global action to address Venezuela’s immediate and long-term recovery challenges.