Five Spaniards have died, 119 are still missing, and 14 have been located under the rubble in Venezuela

Eduardo González Five Spanish citizens have died, 119 are missing, and fourteen have been located under the rubble as a result of the two earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, according to sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on data from the Spanish Embassy in Caracas. At least 920 people have died and 3,360 have been injured as a result of two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale that struck north of Venezuela within a 40-second interval, according to the latest official figures. The damage is concentrated mainly in the states of La Guaira, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Falcón, and Yaracuy, as well as Caracas, where buildings and infrastructure have been affected. “We regret to announce that the number of Spaniards who have died in the earthquake has now risen to three,” declared Minister José Manuel Albares in an audio statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I extend my condolences to their families and friends,” he continued. Later, sources from the Ministry confirmed the death toll at four. Among the fatalities is the delegate of the Government of the Canary Islands in Venezuela, Isabel Jara, who resided in La Guaira, the epicenter of the disaster, according to the regional government. According to Albares, "the number of Spaniards we have not yet located has risen to 99." "There are also four Spaniards who have been located, but who are currently under the rubble of the earthquake, and we are working to ensure that rescue teams can reach them," he added. “The Spanish Embassy and Consulate in Caracas and the Consular Emergency Unit at the Ministry's Central Services remain fully committed to locating and supporting Spaniards in Venezuela,” the minister stated. “Our plan is to repatriate a group of Spanish tourists currently stranded in Venezuela on the military plane carrying personnel from the AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation), the UME (Military Emergency Unit, Ministry of Defense), and Madrid firefighters (from the Emergency and Immediate Response Team, ERICAM, of the Autonomous Community of Madrid),” he specified. This Friday, the Spanish Defense Ministry plane carrying aid arrived in the Dominican Republic from Venezuela. According to Albares' social media post, the plane evacuated 59 Spaniards, eleven Portuguese, and one Bulgarian. The AECID has already mobilized an initial package of one million euros through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to address Venezuela’s most immediate needs. Furthermore, Spain, through AECID, is contributing to the emergency response funds of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations Office for Emergency Management, which have allocated two million Swiss francs and fifteen million dollars, respectively, to the emergency response in Venezuela. “I want to reiterate that all consular emergency phone lines at the central services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Spanish Embassy and Consulate in Caracas are fully operational and available to all Spanish citizens. I urge any Spaniards who are not registered with the Consulate and who are in transit in Venezuela for tourism, work, or other reasons to contact us,” Albares emphasized. The Embassy in Venezuela and the Spanish Consulate in Caracas are available to the Spanish community at the following phone numbers: +34 91 000 1249 and +58 424-2090264. Field hospital and humanitarian aid According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a team from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) traveled to Venezuela on Friday to conduct an initial on-site assessment and help identify the most urgent needs. Separately, the Agency plans to deploy the START field hospital, following a request for international health support from Venezuelan authorities, and is working with various suppliers to assess the availability of humanitarian aid that, if necessary, could be sent from logistics centers in Panama, Colombia, or Spain. Spain is participating in the response as part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which facilitates the coordination of international aid with national authorities and all humanitarian actors present in the country, avoiding duplication and ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need. Through this Mechanism, the deployment of the START field hospital in its EMT-1 format has been offered for next week. Close coordination is also being maintained to facilitate the possible deployment of additional rescue teams. Furthermore, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is maintaining close coordination with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior and with the Ministry of Defense to coordinate the response. Spain is also maintaining constant contact with key humanitarian organizations, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and specialized non-governmental organizations, to assess the evolving situation and coordinate potential actions. [caption id="attachment_146435" align="alignnone" width="750"] Photo: IFRC[/caption] Furthermore, four NGOs that have emergency agreements with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) (Spanish Red Cross, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, and Caritas) are considering activating these agreements. In addition to the immediate contribution of one million euros to the IFRC's emergency appeal, Spain's response is complemented by sustained support for major international humanitarian financing mechanisms. This year, Spain has contributed 4.5 million euros to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) (part of a multi-year commitment of nine million euros for the 2026-2027 period), which has already mobilized 15 million dollars in response to this situation. Spain has also contributed €3.5 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), which has already immediately mobilized two million Swiss francs to address this emergency. Feijóo For his part, the president of the People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, posted on social media that "it is in the most difficult moments that a country shows its true colors." He added, "Thanks to the Military Emergency Unit (UME), the Air Force, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the healthcare workers and firefighters deployed in Venezuela for representing, with professionalism, dedication, and humanity, the best of our nation. Spain is obligated to send all available aid. All our support to the Venezuelan people." EU aid Meanwhile, the European Commission announced on Friday the deployment of rescue and emergency assistance teams from eight member states, including Spain, to Venezuela, under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. So far, according to the Commission, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands are sending aid through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The Commission detailed that more than 520 response personnel from the eight member states have been mobilized as part of the deployment. Italy will send a medical team, and Luxembourg will mobilize telecommunications, shelter, and energy equipment. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, thanked these member states for “their solidarity and promptness in sending firefighters, rescue dogs, medical personnel, and other forms of assistance,” and reiterated that “Venezuela is not alone.” At the same time, the Commission reported that the European Union's Copernicus Emergency Management Service satellite service has been activated in emergency mapping mode, which uses satellite imagery and geospatial data to provide a mapping service in cases of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

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