U.S. search-and-rescue teams successfully rescued a 9-month-old infant from rubble in Venezuela, more than 72 hours after twin earthquakes devastated the region.
U.S. search-and-rescue teams have successfully pulled an infant alive from the rubble in Venezuela, following two devastating earthquakes that struck the country. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the rescue on Saturday, sharing video footage of the operation on social media.
The rescue occurred in Catia La Mar, where U.S. personnel retrieved the 9-month-old infant along with her mother. Both were reported to have suffered only minor injuries, according to the rescue team. The Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue team (USA-01) conducted the operation after being deployed to Venezuela on June 26, following activation by the State Department.
The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday. As of Saturday evening, the death toll had tragically risen to 1,430, with officials reporting that 243 individuals had been rescued so far. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that over 68,000 people remain unaccounted for across the country.
The State Department emphasized the importance of the rescue efforts, stating, “Against impossible odds, hope endures.” They added, “Every life saved is a victory.” The White House echoed this sentiment, thanking the American search and rescue teams for their assistance in Venezuela and describing the operation as “America at its best.”
Rescue teams have been working around the clock to locate survivors before the critical window for rescue closes. Aid groups typically consider the first 48 to 72 hours following a disaster as the most crucial for finding survivors, although access to food and water can extend that timeframe.
In response to the disaster, Venezuelan officials reported that 17 flights carrying over 1,600 rescue personnel had arrived to assist with the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Virginia, California, and Florida were dispatched to the region to help search collapsed buildings. These teams comprise 312 personnel and 18 canine units, including firefighters, physicians, structural engineers, and canine search specialists. They also brought more than 200,000 pounds of specialized rescue equipment.
The Los Angeles County USAR team, which includes 73 members, is equipped with concrete-breaking tools and specialized listening devices designed to detect survivors trapped beneath debris.
Rescuers have concentrated their efforts in La Guaira, where the destruction was most severe, as well as parts of Caracas. Families and volunteers have joined the search, working tirelessly to pull survivors and victims from the rubble.
In light of the disaster, the United States has pledged $150 million in emergency assistance and support for international relief organizations responding to the crisis. The situation remains dire, and rescue teams continue to work diligently in hopes of finding more survivors.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department for further information regarding the ongoing rescue efforts, and additional reports have been contributed by The Associated Press.