Israeli Rescue Team Arrives in Venezuela to Aid Earthquake Victims Amid Ongoing Search Efforts

Five days after a powerful double earthquake struck Venezuela, an Israeli rescue delegation arrived on Monday to assist in the disaster zone. The team, comprising members from Magen Disaster and Emergency Management, the Ready for Rescue association, and SmartAID, began working alongside local forces conducting search and rescue operations, structural assessments, and providing initial humanitarian aid. The delegation of 16 rescuers and professionals reported extensive destruction, with many buildings collapsed or severely damaged and infrastructure compromised. Rescue efforts continue in multiple locations to find survivors.

At least 1,450 people have died, and tens of thousands remain missing. Venezuelan rescue teams recently pulled two 11-year-old children from the rubble after hours of effort, with one child found buried under three meters of debris in Caraballeda near the bodies of his mother and sister. Despite the time elapsed, rescuers believe survivors may still be trapped if they have access to food and water. Many families are searching independently, often without proper equipment, awaiting heavy machinery to clear concrete blocks.

The hardest-hit area is La Guaira, where an improvised emergency center has been set up at a golf course in Caraballeda, serving as a field hospital, humanitarian aid distribution point, and helicopter landing zone. The Jose Maria Vargas sports complex also functions as a military logistics hub for food, medicine, and supplies. Ongoing aftershocks and slow debris removal have increased tension and frustration among survivors.

International rescue teams from Mexico, Spain, Qatar, the United States, and the United Kingdom have joined the efforts. UN representative Tom Fletcher reported that 39 search teams totaling around 2,000 personnel, supported by sniffer dogs and drones, are operating in the field. The U.S. government deployed over 300 rescuers and pledged $150 million in aid, while temporarily lifting sanctions on Venezuela to facilitate relief transactions.

La Guaira, a coastal province north of Caracas hosting the capital’s main airport, suffered severe damage, complicating international aid delivery. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez described the area as a disaster zone and said the government is collaborating with private companies to bring in heavy equipment and accelerate rescue operations. Meanwhile, tens of thousands remain homeless, electricity is disrupted in many affected areas, and rescue teams and volunteers continue searching collapsed buildings through the night, although some communities report delays and lack of specialized equipment.