The joint Israeli rescue delegation from Magen, Ready for Rescue, and SmartAID continues operations in Venezuela's earthquake-hit areas, reporting unusually extensive destruction and difficult working conditions, according to Keren Bezalel (N12).
The 16-member Israeli rescue delegation on the ground in Venezuela is now reporting that the destruction is 'extraordinary' and that working conditions in the disaster zones are severe, according to field updates from Keren Bezalel (N12). This assessment, relayed Tuesday evening, Jerusalem time, marks the strongest characterization of the damage yet from the team, which has been operating since landing in Valencia on Monday morning (Mon 09:13 Jerusalem). Earlier reports on Monday described the damage as 'exceptionally severe' and noted that the team was checking buildings in collaboration with local forces – the new briefing frames the challenge as unusually intense even within that context.
As The Zioneer reported Monday at 09:13 Jerusalem, the delegation from Magen, Ready for Rescue, and SmartAID landed in Valencia and began work alongside local emergency teams. By that same morning, the official death toll stood at 1,450, with some 3,500 wounded and roughly 50,000 missing, according to the government. The Jewish community’s emergency fundraiser of $2 million was also launched Monday, with leaders estimating about 80 Jewish families lost homes and another 200 were afraid to return. The team’s own characterization of the destruction has evolved from 'unusually large' to 'exceptionally severe' to now 'extraordinary'.
International rescue efforts continue to expand. As The Zioneer reported Saturday (Jun 27, 00:59 Jerusalem), at least 16 nations have sent teams, the EU activated its civil protection mechanism with over 520 rescuers, and Spain and the Netherlands have dispatched aid missions. The EU and other nations had already noted severe equipment shortages on the ground according to prior reports.
The precise number of casualties and trapped survivors remains unconfirmed. No new official toll has been issued alongside the team's field update.
6 developments
- DevelopingFirst Israeli rescue mission departs for Venezuela
- DevelopingVenezuela rescue efforts face severe equipment shortages; Netherlands, Spain send aid
- StrongIsrael's envoy to Venezuela appeals to public in Spanish ahead of aid mission arrival
- StrongVenezuela resident describes building collapse, ongoing rescues after quake
Source and signal
- Internal intake