A newborn baby was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Caracas on Tuesday, as British search and rescue teams worked alongside local crews in a frantic effort to find survivors. The infant, no more than a few days old, was found cradled in the arms of its mother, who did not survive the collapse that killed at least 18 people and injured dozens more.
The baby was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors said it was stable but suffering from dehydration and minor injuries. The rescue came after a 10-hour operation involving British specialists from the International Rescue Corps, who were deployed to Venezuela following a request from the government.
“It was a moment of pure relief in the midst of so much devastation,” said Sarah Jenkins, who is covering the story for the Daily Herald. “Rescuers described hearing a faint cry beneath the concrete and steel. They worked for hours, carefully removing debris by hand, not knowing if they would find life or death. When they finally reached the baby, wrapped in a bloodied blanket, there was not a dry eye on site.”
The building, a five-storey apartment block in the working-class neighbourhood of La Vega, collapsed early on Tuesday morning. Residents said they heard a rumbling sound before the structure gave way, trapping dozens inside. The cause is under investigation, but officials have pointed to poor construction standards and years of neglect.
British teams, equipped with specialist listening devices and concrete-cutting tools, have been training local rescue workers in advanced search techniques. “We’re not just here to pull people out,” said Mark Thompson, team leader of the British contingent. “We’re sharing skills that will save lives long after we leave. That’s the real legacy.”
A spokesman for the Venezuelan government praised the collaboration, calling it “a shining example of international solidarity in a time of crisis.” Relations between the UK and Venezuela have been strained in recent years, but the rescue mission was jointly facilitated by the British Foreign Office and the Venezuelan Ministry of Interior.
For the families of the missing, the wait continues. Search teams are now working against the clock, using dogs and thermal cameras to locate any signs of life. But time is running out. “We are doing everything we can,” said a local firefighter, exhausted and covered in dust. “Every life is precious.”
The rescue of the newborn has given hope to the community, but it also highlights the wider tragedy of a country in crisis. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed, leaving buildings crumbling and hospitals without basic supplies. The British team’s presence is a reminder of what can be achieved when nations work together, even as political divides remain.
As the sun set over Caracas, the baby was named “Esperanza” by the medical staff and other survivors. “Esperanza means hope,” said Jenkins. “And right now, that’s all this city has.”
