This is one of two flights transporting rescue forces from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to Venezuela. In addition to officers and soldiers, the aircraft carries 8 K9 dogs and approximately 40 tons of specialized equipment, vehicles, and humanitarian aid supplies.

After a direct flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France, the aircraft will make a technical stop before continuing its journey. It is expected to land at Arturo Michelena Airport in Venezuela at 11:40 on 29/6.

Vietnam Airlines has assigned a crew of 5 pilots, 13 flight attendants, 3 engineers, and 2 ground staff for the flight.

Military officers and soldiers complete procedures before the flight. Photo: VNA

The second flight transporting rescue forces is expected to depart in the next 1-2 days.

The 82-member Vietnam People's Army rescue team comprises a Command Unit, 31 officers and soldiers from the Engineer Corps' collapsed building rescue team, 30 doctors from military hospitals, 10 border guard officers, and 8 K9 dogs from Border Guard Intermediate School 24. The team will carry out its mission for 20 days in Caracas, the capital, which was severely impacted by the double earthquake.

Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue, is directly commanding the force. This marks his third international mission. He noted that many team members had previously participated in earthquake relief operations in Turkey in 2023 and Myanmar in 2025.

An Airbus A350 aircraft carrying the rescue team departs on the night of 28/6. Photo: VNA

Venezuela, located in South America, is over 17,000 km from Vietnam. A double earthquake, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck the country at 18:04 on 24/6. The disaster resulted in 1,430 deaths, over 3,000 injuries, and more than 50,000 missing persons. These figures are expected to rise as numerous buildings, including Simon Bolivar International Airport, have collapsed.

Doan Loan