India sends aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela as part of Operation Amistad, death toll rises to 235 | Today’s news
India has sent humanitarian supplies, medicines and medical equipment and a field hospital unit, among others, to help Venezuela in the wake of the catastrophic earthquakes that have killed about 235 people and injured at least 4,300.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India has launched “Operation Amistad” to support earthquake-hit Venezuela.
“Operation Amistad underway! Two @IAF_MCC C17s flew to Venezuela today with emergency aid to support their post-earthquake relief efforts,” Jaishankar said on X.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
India has sent relief supplies, medicines, medical equipment and a field hospital unit as part of “Operation Amistad” to help Venezuela after the earthquake.
India launched “Operation Amistad” to support Venezuela in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that caused significant casualties and injuries.
The Venezuelan government has declared a disaster zone, launched rescue operations and is creating a reconstruction fund to finance infrastructure repairs and support victims.
Yes, many countries have pledged support for Venezuela, recognizing the scale of the disaster and the urgent need for humanitarian aid.
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela were recorded at magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
He added: “The aid includes an Indian Army field hospital unit @adgpi and over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, including two BHISHM cubes.
“India is committed to supporting the government and people of Venezuela at this difficult time,” Jaishankar said.
“PM Modi offers sincere condolences”
The operation comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep grief over the devastation caused by the earthquake and offered his condolences to the families of the victims, pledging to “extend all possible assistance”.
In a post on X, he said: “Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela.”
Read also | That night the ground in Venezuela did not stop shaking
“On behalf of the people of India, I express our sincere condolences to the government and people of Venezuela, especially the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected in this difficult time. India is ready to extend all possible assistance,” he added.
Following PM Modi’s X post, Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez expressed her gratitude to PM Modi for his condolences and offers of support following two massive earthquakes near the capital.
The number of earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 235
Meanwhile, the death toll in Venezuela from a double-deadly earthquake has risen to 235, with 4,300 people injured, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Thursday evening (local time).
In an interview on state television, the minister said that while injuries include mostly minor cases, many serious cases require “surgical intervention”. He added that while some of the victims were declared “upon arrival” at hospitals, others had not previously shown “vital signs” of life, CNN reported.
Read also | Earthquake in Venezuela Highlights: Death toll at 164, interim president confirms
“As of 7:00 p.m. today, we have already treated more than 4,300 injured people, some minor, most minor, but there are also moderate and serious cases. A number of them required surgical interventions, and unfortunately we received around 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or died after arriving at our medical facilities,” the minister said in an interview, according to CNN.
Meanwhile, the US has committed its military forces to support relief efforts in Venezuela. At the direction of the US State Department, Southern Command deployed “C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft” for a major humanitarian air operation.
The deployment is designed to provide immediate, high-capacity support to areas worst affected by the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, which caused widespread structural collapse, significant casualties and damage to critical infrastructure across the country.
