The first plane sent by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to assist victims of the earthquake in Venezuela landed around 11:40 PM (Brasília time) on Friday (26) at the El Libertador Air Base of the Venezuelan Air Force in Maracay.
The aircraft, a KC-390 Millennium, is transporting doctors, sniffer dogs, and an Urban Search and Rescue team made up of professionals from the National Secretariat of Protection and Civil Defense (Sedec/MIDR), military firefighters from Brazilian states, and specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
In addition to the teams, the humanitarian aid flight carries equipment and supplies to reinforce assistance to victims of the earthquake, which occurred last Wednesday (24) and left at least 920 people dead and more than 1,400 injured.
Among the dead are two Brazilians. One of the identified victims is Vanessa Zacarias da Silva, 44.
The mission was authorized by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and is conducted by the First Troop Transport Group (1st GTT) – Zeus Squadron, as part of the mobilization coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There is also a forecast for a new flight this Saturday (27) to carry equipment for setting up a field hospital, as well as 100 solar-powered water purifiers, medicines, and medical supplies for surgeries.
EARTHQUAKE IN VENEZUELA
Venezuela's northern coast was hit on Wednesday by two of the largest earthquakes to affect the country in more than a century. Authorities warn that the number of victims could increase.
The tremors were felt throughout the country, in neighboring Colombia, and in Brazil. Videos geolocated by CNN Brasil show extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across Venezuela, including the capital, Caracas.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred about 160 kilometers west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The USGS, based on predictive models to estimate the number of victims, stated that the death toll could reach thousands, with a significant probability of exceeding 10,000.
According to the acting president, the country is focusing efforts on search and rescue operations, including the arrival of international teams in the coming hours. She also thanked foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump.
Source: CNN Brasil
