During operations to address the aftermath of the earthquake in Playa Grande, La Guaira State, Venezuela, on June 30 (local time), the Vietnamese rescue mission, after extensive search efforts, recovered 11 bodies from the rubble and handed them over to Venezuelan authorities.
On June 30 (local time), as part of the friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Vietnam and Venezuela, the Vietnamese delegation formally handed over more than 45 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies at the international airport in Caracas. The aid is to support Venezuela's recovery efforts following the two powerful earthquakes that struck on June 24 evening.
By the afternoon of June 30 (local time), the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security's search and rescue team had successfully recovered the first victim's body in earthquake-hit Venezuela.
After hours of intensive work, the Vietnamese rescue team successfully recovered the bodies of 11 victims from the rubble and handed them over to Venezuelan authorities.
Personnel from the Vietnam People's Army and the People's Public Security Force were deployed to different locations. In addition to their assigned missions, they also responded to requests from victims' families by searching nearby areas for those still missing.
The total volume of relief supplies amounted to 45.6 tonnes, including 35 tonnes of emergency rations, 4 tonnes of medicines, 2 tonnes of canned meat, four generators, 500 tents, 10 large relief shelters, and 50,000 rolls of medical bandages.
On June 30 (local time), the Vietnamese search and rescue mission conducted operations in La Guaira State, the area hardest hit by the twin earthquakes in Venezuela.
A Vietnamese search and rescue team has arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Venezuela, ready to assist the country in its earthquake recovery efforts.
The head of the delegation, accompanied by several team members and representatives of the Venezuelan side, subsequently conducted a field survey in La Guaira to assess the situation and prepare for the deployment of personnel and equipment for search-and-rescue operations.
The flight is carrying 124 personnel from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, along with 10 search-and-rescue dogs and approximately 25 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, specialised equipment and rescue gear to support relief operations in the earthquake-affected areas.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ministry of National Defence’s conference assigning tasks to personnel participating in the humanitarian and disaster-relief mission, Major General Ty, who is head of the Vietnamese military mission to Venezuela, also stressed that the deployment reflects Vietnam’s commitment to international solidarity and humanitarian responsibility.
In the early hours of June 29, a flight operated by Vietnam Airlines departed from Noi Bai International Airport, carrying 124 personnel from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security to Venezuela on a humanitarian relief mission.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen said the deployment reflects not only humanitarian support but also international solidarity and the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Venezuela.
An 82-member military contingent was assigned to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela, marking Vietnam’s third overseas military deployment for international disaster response.
During the mission, the Vietnamese force will use search dogs to locate victims trapped under collapsed structures, conduct urban search-and-rescue operations, provide emergency medical assistance to survivors, and carry out other humanitarian tasks to help Venezuelan authorities and local communities recover from the disaster.
Under a decision by the Ministry of National Defence, Vietnam is dispatching 82 personnel, along with equipment and supplies, to support search-and-rescue efforts and post-earthquake recovery in Venezuela. The Border Guard force contributes a unit comprising 10 personnel and eight search dogs.
Following two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, causing severe casualties and widespread damage, the Vietnam People's Army has established a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission to support the Venezuelan people.
Two consecutive earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving at least 164 people dead and causing extensive damage to buildings near the capital, where residents and emergency services are hastening efforts to locate thousands of missing people.
Based on the traditional friendship between the two countries, Vietnam is ready to provide appropriate forms of support for Venezuela, the spokesperson said.
