A devastating earthquake in Venezuela has claimed the lives of a young couple, leaving their three-year-old son an orphan. The British government has taken the lead in the rescue effort, deploying a Royal Navy medical team to the stricken region. Sources confirm that HMS Dauntless, currently on patrol in the Caribbean, has been diverted to the Venezuelan coast to provide emergency medical assistance.
The child, whose name has not been released, was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the city of Caracas. He is now in the care of the Royal Navy medics, who have set up a field hospital on board the ship. The Foreign Office has stated that they are working with Venezuelan authorities to ensure the child's welfare.
This is a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, whose diplomatic relations have been strained in recent years. The quake, which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale, has caused widespread destruction in the capital and surrounding areas.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search through the debris. The British government has pledged £5 million in humanitarian aid and has offered the full support of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. This is a story of tragedy but also of hope, as the international community rallies to support Venezuela in its time of need.
The orphaned child will be flown to a specialist paediatric unit in the UK once he is stable enough to travel. His identity and future care arrangements are being handled by social services and the Venezuelan embassy in London.
