Türkiye is dispatching two military cargo aircraft carrying search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid to Venezuela following the earthquakes that struck the Yaracuy region. The teams are scheduled to depart from Istanbul today.
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, Türkiye has launched a humanitarian assistance operation. Teams prepared under the coordination of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) will be transported to Venezuela aboard two military cargo aircraft.
According to a statement released by AFAD, relief efforts were initiated swiftly in coordination with the relevant institutions following the series of earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s Yaracuy region.
An A400M military transport aircraft allocated by the Turkish General Staff will carry a total of 38 AFAD search and rescue personnel from Istanbul, Izmir, and Denizli, along with a five-member National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) from the Ministry of Health, a two-member humanitarian aid team from the Turkish Red Crescent, two search and rescue dogs, and three search and rescue vehicles.
In addition, the Ministry of National Defense will deploy another A400M military transport aircraft carrying a 22-member Humanitarian Aid Brigade team and its equipment to Venezuela. Officials stated that the operation is being coordinated closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Caracas.
Two Devastating Earthquakes in Just 39 Seconds
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes that occurred just 39 seconds apart. Measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, the earthquakes hit active fault lines along the country’s northern coast. They became the strongest earthquakes recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
The death toll has risen to 235, while more than 4,300 people have been injured. Venezuelan Minister of Health Carlos Alvarado stated that the most critical situation is in La Guayira State, where the highest numbers of fatalities and injuries have been reported. He added that the country’s nationwide emergency response mechanism was activated immediately after the earthquakes.