A British search and rescue team has been commended for their role in the recovery of a three-year-old child from the debris of a collapsed building in Venezuela, following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the country’s western region on Tuesday. The child, identified locally as Sofia Mendez, was pulled from the wreckage after being trapped for nearly 14 hours.
The operation, led by UK International Search and Rescue, involved coordination with Venezuelan civil defence authorities. The team deployed specialist listening devices and structural engineers to assess the stability of the ruins before carefully extracting the child. Medical personnel on site reported the child in stable condition with minor injuries, a fact attributed to the speed and precision of the rescue effort.
The earthquake, which had its epicentre near the city of Mérida, has caused widespread structural collapse across several states. Official figures from the Venezuelan interior ministry confirm at least 45 fatalities and over 300 injuries, with the number expected to rise as search operations continue. The British team, comprising 62 personnel, is one of several international contingents offering assistance, including teams from Russia, Turkey, and Chile.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement commending the rescue as a testament to the professionalism of British emergency services. “This is a moment of profound relief amid tragedy. Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela,” he said. The rescue has been widely covered by Venezuelan state media, which has offered measured appreciation for the international response.
The success of the operation introduces a rare note of diplomatic goodwill between London and Caracas. Relations have been strained in recent years over human rights concerns and the recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaidó. However, the crisis diplomacy of disaster relief has often provided avenues for functional cooperation.
The search and rescue mission continues, with teams working through debris in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. The British team’s mandate is expected to last for the next two weeks, with logistics provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
