Stand: 29.06.2026 02:00 Uhr
Following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, emergency responders and rescue dogs from the Bundeswehr base in Wunstorf have arrived in Caracas. They are preparing for a challenging mission, which includes assistance from Czech sniffer dogs.
This Saturday night, a 46-member team from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) arrived in the disaster-stricken area of Venezuela. The emergency responders are working in coordination with international partners to assess the situation, as stated by THW President Sabine Lackner. The search for missing persons is set to begin as soon as possible. “Now, a race against time begins in the affected region,” reported the THW, stressing the importance of identifying locations where survivors might still be found.
Work in Two Shifts
Once the search operations can commence, the team plans to work around the clock in two shifts. According to reports, these volunteer emergency responders have brought advanced search equipment and rescue dogs. “With their keen sense of smell, these dogs are capable of detecting survivors,” the organization stated.
Death Toll Rises to at Least 1,430
The Venezuelan government has described the earthquake as an event of unprecedented scale. The full extent of the aftermath remains uncertain. Official reports indicate that the death toll stood at a minimum of 1,430 on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, 3,238 individuals have been reported injured, as per the statement from Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly. Tens of thousands of people are still missing, with over 55,000 listed as unaccounted for on a dedicated internet portal. However, these figures cannot currently be independently verified.
Race Against Time
As the critical window for finding survivors under the rubble narrows, experts indicate that the chances of locating missing individuals significantly decrease after 72 hours.
Total of 76 Rescue Workers on the Way
On Friday morning, shortly after 11 AM, the first A400M aircraft with THW personnel took off from the Bundeswehr base in Wunstorf, located in the Hannover region. Three additional aircraft followed later that day. According to the Air Force, a total of 76 rescue workers, ten doctors, seven dogs, and 28.5 tons of equipment and supplies are en route to Venezuela. They are accompanied by twelve armed soldiers for transport security. A fifth A400M also departed on Saturday, carrying supplies from the Malteser organization towards Venezuela. The mission is initially planned to last for two weeks.
Another Two A400M Depart on Monday
The first two returning aircraft were expected back in Wunstorf on Sunday. Two more A400M planes carrying supplies are scheduled to fly to the crisis region, located approximately 8,200 kilometers away, on Monday. “The plan is for one aircraft to depart daily from here,” stated an Air Force spokesperson.
No Flights from Wunstorf on Sunday
As reported by the Air Force, no flights departed from Wunstorf on Sunday. Instead, an A330 from the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Fleet took off from Prague, transporting materials, personnel, and ten Czech sniffer dogs to Curacao. The A400M from the Air Transport Wing 62 in Wunstorf will then take over for the onward journey to Caracas.
Armed Soldiers on Board
Additionally, an air protection team consisting of armed soldiers traveled to the earthquake zone. Their presence is intended to secure the aircraft, as the conditions at the landing sites are uncertain. The Bundeswehr had previously stated that the inclusion of such security personnel is standard procedure.
Relief Organizations Departed on Thursday
Last Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Defense announced that the Air Transport Wing 62 in Wunstorf (Hannover region) had made six aircraft available for support—one for medical air transport and five others for the transportation of personnel and materials. Preliminary teams from the THW, the international aid organization @fire, and I.S.A.R. Germany had already been dispatched to the region for situation assessment and coordination of additional teams.
EU-Wide Capacities Centralized
The European Civil Protection Mechanism consolidates the capabilities of 27 EU countries along with eight additional states, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. Since 2001, the civil protection mechanism has been activated over 600 times for emergency assistance both within and outside the European Union.
Video:
Earthquake in Venezuela: Bundeswehr sends aircraft from Wunstorf (1 min)
