Portugal dispatches rescue team to Venezuela

Portugal is preparing to send a 50-member emergency response team to earthquake-hit Venezuela “as quickly as possible”, while TAP Air Portugal has confirmed that one of its flight crews remains stranded in Caracas but is safe following yesterday’s devastating twin earthquakes.

The government has announced that four ministries are coordinating the deployment of a specialist rescue mission, including medical backup.

Speaking after today’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro said the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Administration, Defence and Health are working together to organise the operation.

“The deployment will take place as quickly as possible,” he said.

The mission is expected to include around 50 personnel, including urban search and rescue specialists, emergency medical teams from Portugal’s National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM), and members of the GNR’s Emergency Protection and Rescue Unit (UEPS), which has previously taken part in international disaster relief operations, including those mounted following the deadly double-earthquakes in Turkey, a little over three years ago.

Leitão Amaro expressed the government’s “deep sorrow” over the victims of the disaster, including the confirmed death of a Portuguese citizen.

The deployment follows prime minister Luís Montenegro’s announcement over social media that Portugal will provide assistance to Venezuelan authorities in the aftermath of the disaster.

TAP crew relocated after hotel damaged

Meanwhile, TAP Air Portugal said its 11-member flight crew, staying in a Caracas hotel when the earthquakes struck, remain safe after being moved to alternative accommodation.

According to an internal message from TAP chief executive Luís Rodrigues and chief operating officer Mário Chaves, the airline is maintaining constant contact with its staff in Venezuela and local authorities.

The crew’s original hotel suffered damage during the earthquakes, prompting their evacuation to another hotel. One crew member sustained minor injuries.

“The crew is safe and secure,” the airline said.

TAP also confirms that some locally based employees suffered material damage to their homes but none were physically injured.

The airline notes that no TAP aircraft were on the ground in Venezuela when the earthquakes occurred.

Flexible travel for passengers

TAP has introduced special travel arrangements for customers booked on flights to and from Caracas.

Passengers holding tickets issued up to June 24 for travel to or from the Venezuelan capital until July 30 may change their travel dates without penalty, provided the new journey takes place within the validity of the original ticket.

In its internal communication, TAP expresses solidarity with the Venezuelan people, the Portuguese community living in the country and all those affected by what it described as these “tragic events”, while extending condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Portugal has one of the largest expatriate communities in Venezuela, and Portuguese authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue efforts and damage assessments continue across the country.

This far, it has been confirmed that 164 people have died, but sadly this number is expected to increase as authorities work to clear rubble from multiple areas, and answer the frantic questions of inhabitants who cannot find loved-ones.

Source: LUSA/ noticiasaominuto