An Israeli search-and-rescue delegation has arrived in Valencia, Venezuela, and begun operations on the ground, working alongside local forces to locate survivors from the devastating back-to-back earthquakes. The 16-person team, from Magen, Ready for Rescue and SmartAID, described the destruction as "exceptionally severe," with officials reporting at least 1,450 dead and thousands missing.
The 16-member Israeli search-and-rescue team from Magen, Ready for Rescue, and SmartAID has begun operational field activity in Valencia, Venezuela's earthquake disaster zone. The team reports exceptional destruction and active rescue efforts at multiple sites, working alongside local forces. This development comes as the official death toll stands at 1,450, with thousands still missing, and the search window narrowing.
As The Zioneer reported at 09:13 this morning (Jerusalem), the delegation landed in Valencia despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Venezuela—suspended since 2009. The arrival followed Israel's initial deliberation over a humanitarian mission, reported on June 25, and the departure of a first rescue delegation on June 26. The death toll has risen steadily: from unverified estimates of 30,000 missing on June 25, to an official count of 1,400 on June 26, and today's figure of 1,450.
The Zioneer previously reported that at least 16 nations and over 520 EU rescuers are part of the international effort, with the U.S., Brazil, Chile, India, Spain, and others pledging teams and aid. The scale of the disaster has prompted warnings from experts of a potentially catastrophic final toll, though no official update on higher estimates has accompanied today's field reports.
What remains open: the final toll remains uncertain. Earlier unconfirmed estimates suggesting tens of thousands of missing have not been formally updated, and the fate of the roughly 50,000 reported missing in prior official updates has not been clarified. The condition of damaged airport infrastructure affecting logistical support also remains an open factor.
5 developments
- DevelopingFirst Israeli rescue mission departs for Venezuela
- DevelopingJewish Agency opens emergency hotline for Israeli families following Venezuela earthquake
- StrongKKL-JNF prepares hundreds of thousands in aid for Venezuela's Jewish community
- StrongIsrael considers humanitarian aid mission to earthquake-stricken Venezuela
Source and signal
- Internal intake