The Spanish citizens deceased in the Venezuela earthquakes amount to 27 and the missing to 137

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reported this Thursday an update on the balance of Spanish citizens affected by the double earthquake registered in Venezuela. According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of fatalities has already risen to 27, while 137 remain missing and another 11 have been located under the rubble. In total, there are 2,295 dead and 11,267 injured in the country due to the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.

The Spanish Government sent a plane this Wednesday with 44 aid workers and about twenty NGO members to Venezuela to deploy a field hospital in the areas affected by the earthquakes, which already leave a toll of 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured. The operation is coordinated by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), through its Emergency Aid and Response Technical Team (START).

The objective of the deployment is to reinforce a Venezuelan health system overwhelmed by the increase in needs in areas where displaced populations who have lost their homes are concentrated. This was explained by the director of AECID, Antón Leis, who highlighted the need to “supplement the Venezuelan health system in the face of the explosion of needs” on the ground.

The field hospital has a multidisciplinary medical team that includes surgeons, traumatology specialists, and psychological support staff, in addition to gynecological care and childbirth assistance. 

Before their departure, the aid workers were seen off at Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and by Queen Letizia, who highlighted the value of the team's humanitarian work and the “professionalism” with which they respond to international requests for help.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, highlighted the “multidisciplinary” nature of the team and stressed that it is a response adapted to the magnitude of the emergency. In addition, he announced on his 'X' account an additional contribution of 300,000 euros for shelter material for people who have lost their homes due to the earthquakes.

Consular emergency lines remain activated

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the call to Spanish citizens in Venezuela to use the enabled emergency channels is maintained. The department reminds that all consular assistance lines remain operational and that updated information can be consulted through the official profiles of the ministry and the Embassy of Spain in Caracas.