Firefighters from Lancashire fly to Venezuela to rescue people trapped after earthquakes

Firefighters from Lancashire have been deployed to Venezuela as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team following two devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.

The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, have caused catastrophic damage across Venezuela. The death toll has risen to 1,943 with more than 10,000 people injured and tens of thousands more unaccounted for. According to satellite data assessed by NASA, the massive tremors have damaged or destroyed an estimated 58,870 buildings.

Firefighters Sue Tattersall, Stuart Higson, Jon Hardman and Lindsay Sielski have been deployed to support the rescue effort alongside rescue dogs Fozzy and Davey. According to Fire and Rescue Service Operations Commander Wayne Ward, the team joined international rescue efforts to assist those caught in the disaster.

Group Manager Mark Warwick said: "We are extremely proud of the Lancashire firefighters who have deployed to Venezuela as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team to support the rescue effort. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the earthquakes in Venezuela."

The humanitarian situation has deteriorated rapidly. The UN refugee agency reported that food shortages are widespread, basic services have broken down and communications have been largely severed in the coastal city of La Guaira. "Community tensions are rising as access to assistance remains constrained," the UNHCR stated.

Health services are under extreme pressure according to the World Health Organization. "There's an increased risk now of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria due to low vaccination coverage," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier warned.

Search and rescue volunteers from Northern Ireland, including Shauna Harper, Ryan Gray and search dog Max from K9 Search and Rescue NI, have also arrived to assist international rescue teams in the earthquake-affected areas.