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Türkiye will send search and rescue and humanitarian aid teams to Venezuela on two military aircraft after two powerful earthquakes struck the country's Yaracuy region, killing at least 235 people and injuring more than 4,300, officials said.
The two A-400M military transport aircraft carrying teams and equipment are scheduled to depart from Istanbul Atatürk Airport on Thursday.
The response was prepared under the coordination of Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, or AFAD, after Venezuela was hit by two consecutive earthquakes on June 25.
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry, National Defense Ministry, Health Ministry, the Presidency's Directorate General of Security Affairs and other relevant institutions coordinated the preparations.
Developments in the region and assessments of urgent needs are being closely monitored through the Foreign Ministry and Türkiye's Embassy in Caracas.
AFAD said preparations began after information was received that two consecutive earthquakes had struck Venezuela's Yaracuy region.
The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on June 24 at 10:04 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. GMT.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela within 39 seconds of each other.
USGS said the 7.5 magnitude quake was centered 28 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the 7.2 magnitude quake struck 24 kilometers northeast of San Felipe in the same state.
The depth of the quake was reported as 10 kilometers near Yumare and 21.9 kilometers near San Felipe.
The USGS had initially announced the first quake as magnitude 7.1 before updating the information on its website.
Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said the death toll from the earthquakes had risen to 235, while more than 4,300 people were injured.
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Following coordination with the General Staff, an A-400M military transport aircraft was allocated to carry search-and-rescue and humanitarian personnel to Venezuela.
The aircraft will transport a 38-member AFAD search and rescue and humanitarian aid team from Istanbul, Izmir and Denizli, a five-member National Medical Rescue Team, or UMKE, from the Health Ministry, and a two-member humanitarian aid team from the Turkish Red Crescent.
Two search dogs and three fully equipped search and rescue vehicles will also be sent to the earthquake zone.
A second A-400M military transport aircraft allocated by the National Defense Ministry will carry a 22-member team from the Humanitarian Aid Brigade, along with its equipment.
Both military aircraft are scheduled to depart from Istanbul Atatürk Airport at 11:15 a.m.
Türkiye's aid preparations were completed after coordination among AFAD, the Foreign Ministry, the National Defense Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Presidency's Directorate General of Security Affairs.
Authorities said the Foreign Ministry and Türkiye's Embassy in Caracas are continuing to monitor developments in the region and follow needs assessments.
The teams and equipment will be sent to support search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid efforts after the deadly earthquakes in northern Venezuela.
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