The Portuguese search and rescue mission is already on Venezuelan soil
The number of Portuguese people and descendants of Portuguese people killed due to the earthquakes in Venezuela rose to 36, according to a new balance released this Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
The MNE also states that 91 Portuguese or Portuguese descendants are missing or uncontactable, 49 men and 42 women.
According to the most recent data from the MNE, among the 36 dead there are five children and 31 adults, 29 of whom are of Portuguese descent, six are Portuguese and one has Portuguese nationality through marriage.
The previous report, released at around 2pm, showed 32 Portuguese or Portuguese-descendant people among the fatal victims.
The MNE also indicates that 44 Portuguese and Portuguese descendants have already been found.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also informs that the two planes carrying the Portuguese mission to help with search, rescue and first aid have already landed in Maquetia, close to La Guaira, the region most affected by the earthquakes.
The two Air Force planes with 64 members of the Special Protection and Relief Unit (UEPS) of the GNR, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), the Lisbon Firefighters and INEM departed Beja on Friday night.
This joint force brings together “specialized capabilities in search and rescue operations, victim recovery, disaster response and emergency medical support”, according to a note from the MNE on Friday.
Around 23 tons of humanitarian aid were also on board, including “personal protective equipment, search and rescue material, medical equipment, medicines, tents, generators, food items”, to support relief and assistance operations for affected populations, according to the MNE.
Speaking to Lusa on Friday, the second national commander of ANEPC, José Ribeiro, stated that the mission elements have “a lot of experience” in earthquake scenarios.
According to José Ribeiro, the planning made for the duration of the Portuguese mission was 10 days and two more in reserve, and this was also what was done by the international forces on the ground.
The two major earthquakes that were recorded in Venezuela on Wednesday caused at least 929 deaths and 3,360 injuries, according to the most recent official report.
According to the UN, more than 50 thousand people are missing.
Portugal and seven other European Union countries will send search and rescue teams to Venezuela.
Dozens of buildings collapsed or were seriously damaged in the capital Caracas and in the region of La Guaira, one of the most affected.
