Firefighters from across the UK are supporting search and rescue efforts in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes caused widespread devastation across the country.

The UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) team has deployed 68 specialist personnel, six search dogs and a range of rescue equipment following a request for international assistance from the Venezuelan government.

The team, made up of firefighters and rescue specialists from 14 UK fire and rescue services, is working alongside local emergency responders to search collapsed buildings and help locate survivors.

Search for survivors continues

Rescue teams are operating in difficult conditions as they race against time to find people trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Among those deployed is West Midlands Fire Service Station Commander Mark Leeson, who said the scale of destruction is difficult to comprehend.

He described seeing collapsed buildings and families left without homes, but said rescue teams remain hopeful that survivors can still be found.

Specially trained search dogs are being used to detect signs of life before urban search and rescue specialists carefully enter damaged buildings to reach those trapped inside. The dogs are trained to search only for living survivors, helping crews focus their efforts where they are most needed.

Highly specialised rescue capability

UK ISAR forms part of the UK's National Resilience capability and remains on permanent standby to respond to major disasters around the world.

The deployment includes firefighters, specialist medics, a structural engineer and a veterinary professional, supported by drones, technical rescue equipment and specialist search dogs.

Importantly, the team is completely self-sufficient, bringing its own food, water, shelter, communications equipment and rescue resources to avoid placing additional pressure on communities already affected by the disaster.

The current deployment is expected to last around 10 days.

Experience built through previous disasters

Many of those deployed have previously supported international rescue operations following major earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco, bringing valuable experience of working in unstable buildings and challenging environments.

The operation is being led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and includes personnel from fire and rescue services across England, Scotland and Wales.

Alongside the deployment of rescue teams, the UK Government has announced £2 million in humanitarian funding to support emergency relief efforts, while medical specialists have also travelled to Venezuela to assess ongoing healthcare needs.

As search operations continue, UK firefighters remain focused on helping local responders save as many lives as possible in the aftermath of one of the country's most devastating natural disasters.

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