After nearly one day of travel, the Vietnamese rescue team landed at Maquetia International Airport in La Guaira state, approximately 30 km from the capital Caracas, at noon on 29/6 local time. The base camp was set up near the airport, about 10 km from the rescue site, allowing the forces to quickly deploy their mission.

The team comprised 124 personnel, including 82 military officers from the Ministry of National Defense and 42 officers and soldiers from the Ministry of Public Security.

Without taking much time to rest, the team immediately surveyed the Playa Grande area in Catia La Mar district after settling in. This area, characterized by many high-rise buildings constructed on slopes, was severely affected by the earthquake and landslides.

On the morning of 30/6, the rescue team officially began its mission. Five search teams were formed, coordinating with local forces to scour an area of about 2,2 square kilometers. Each team included search and rescue dogs, combat engineers, and military medics, operating according to a unified procedure.

Search dogs advanced first to identify potential victim locations, after which combat engineers used specialized equipment to verify signals and then organize access. In many locations, soldiers and search dogs had to crawl low beneath concrete slabs. The search process was conducted carefully, ensuring the safety of rescue forces while maximizing the ability to detect trapped individuals.

Search dogs maneuvered through narrow gaps between collapsed concrete floor sections to sniff out traces of victims. Following them were combat engineers carrying detection equipment, marking flags, and specialized tools.

During the mission, the search area was continuously expanded at the request of local authorities and victims' relatives. At one point, after an international rescue team could not continue operations due to a lack of fuel, the Vietnamese team immediately dispatched personnel and equipment to the scene to assist.

At the scene of the devastation, military medics were present to receive, provide first aid, and care for victims.

In parallel with search operations, military medical forces established an emergency reception and treatment station for residents in the affected area.

The rescue team traversed piles of bricks, rubble, and broken steel reinforcement systems to reach areas suspected of having trapped individuals.

Each area where search dogs detected signs was marked and cordoned off. Teams then coordinated with local forces to conduct searches, recovering victims or bodies.

Beyond the objective of finding victims, ensuring the safety of the rescue forces themselves was a top priority throughout the mission. Before accessing each site, the commander assessed the stability of the structure, observed risks of subsidence and collapse, and identified safe exit routes. All operations were carried out in teams, maintaining continuous communication among members and coordinating closely with local forces to respond promptly to any unusual developments at the scene. Strict adherence to safety procedures helped the soldiers minimize risks and ensured mission completion.

On the first day of searching, the Vietnamese rescue forces identified 13 locations suspected of having victims. All 13 bodies were subsequently recovered from the collapsed structures and handed over to Venezuelan authorities according to established procedures. This achievement resulted from the coordination among search dogs, specialized detection equipment, combat engineers, and supporting local forces.

Venezuela, located in South America, is over 17,000 km from Vietnam. A double earthquake, measuring 7,2 and 7,5 Richter, struck the country at 18:04 on 24/6, resulting in 1.430 deaths, over 3.000 injuries, and more than 50.000 missing persons. These numbers may continue to rise as many buildings collapsed, including Simon Bolivar International Airport.

Son Ha - Hoang Phuong

Photos: Provided by Vietnam Rescue Team