Merseyside firefighters lead Venezuela quake rescue
BBCA team of firefighters from Merseyside has flown to Venezuela to lead the UK's contribution to international rescue efforts following two deadly earthquakes.
An RAF plane carrying 68 personnel, six specially trained sniffer dogs and equipment including drones took off from Brize Norton airbase in Oxfordshire on Friday to fly to the South American country.
More than 900 people were killed and 3,360 injured in the back-to-back earthquakes on Wednesday.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said the UK team included firefighters from 14 fire services, including Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
The UK team is led by officers from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Highly experienced, it has worked on the ground in earthquake zones.
In Turkey and Morocco in 2023 it helped to rescue survivors trapped under rubble.
NFCC chair Phil Garrigan said: "These firefighters bring exceptional skill, experience and dedication, and will work alongside local and international teams to provide vital search and rescue support where it is needed most, with the intent to help save lives in extremely challenging conditions."
The government in Venezuela has declared a state of emergency.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "We are making £2m of emergency humanitarian funding available and are working closely with international partners to ensure vital support reaches those most in need as quickly as possible."
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