The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela on Tuesday has passed 920, with British search and rescue teams at the forefront of a major international relief operation. The 7.3 magnitude quake, centred near the city of Cumaná in the state of Sucre, has left thousands homeless and overwhelmed local hospitals with casualties.
British teams from the International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) were deployed within hours, joining forces with experts from across Europe and the Americas. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that a specialised team of 60 firefighters, medical staff, and engineers from the UK had arrived in Caracas on Wednesday morning. They are using specialist equipment to dig through rubble in areas where survivors are still believed to be trapped.
The quake struck at 1:35 pm local time, catching many residents in schools and offices. More than 1,400 people are reported injured, and officials fear the toll could rise as rescue efforts continue in remote mountainous regions. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, and President Nicolás Maduro has appealed for international aid.
For the people of Cumaná, a port city of half a million, the disaster is a cruel blow to a region already struggling with hyperinflation and food shortages. “We have nothing left,” said María González, a 54-year-old shopkeeper whose home collapsed on top of her family. “The British were the first to arrive. They saved my little granddaughter from under the concrete.”
British rescue workers have been praised for their speed and discipline. UKISAR team leader James Richardson said: “This is a race against time. We are working in conditions where aftershocks are still happening, but we are making progress. Every hour counts.”
The international community has mobilised rapidly. The United Nations has released $10 million in emergency funds, and teams from France, Spain, and the United States are en route. However, logistical challenges are immense: damaged roads, disrupted communications, and a lack of heavy machinery are hampering efforts.
For British families waiting for news of loved ones, the wait is agonising. The Foreign Office has set up a helpline and is working with airlines to repatriate any British nationals caught in the disaster. At least three Britons are believed to be in the affected area, though none have been reported missing.
As night falls on the second day, survivors huddle in makeshift shelters. The UK has pledged £5 million in aid, with more expected. The focus now is on the next 48 hours: the critical window for finding survivors. But for every life saved, there is a grim tally of those lost. The people of Venezuela, and the world, watch and wait.
