The severe earthquake registered in Venezuela has left behind extensive damage to various infrastructures and entire affected communities. In response to this unprecedented emergency, international solidarity was swift. From Spain, the USAR Málaga Team, formed by the Provincial Firefighters Consortium of Málaga and in close collaboration with the NGO BBRE, activated a high-urgency operational deployment to search for survivors under the rubble.
Through this article, we take you behind the scenes of this intense international rescue mission, a true race against time where commitment, technology, and the human factor united with a single objective: to save lives.
Operational Deployment: A Race Against Time
When the earth trembles, every minute counts.
The seismic event shook Venezuela on June 24th at 6:21 PM (local time). Just hours after assessing the magnitude of the disaster, response mechanisms were activated in Spain.
The team undertook a demanding international mobilization route from Málaga to Madrid, subsequently flying to Bogotá, and finally arriving in Caracas. In just 67 hours and 9 minutes from the moment zero of the quake, our search and rescue team was already on the ground at "ground zero," demonstrating that humanitarian aid in Venezuela can be delivered quickly and effectively.
Ground Zero: Operations in La Guaira and the Central Coast
The operation focused on the most devastated areas, designated as SAR (Search and Rescue) search zones. The main interventions took place in:
Playa Grande
Catia La Mar
La Guaira
Tanaguarena
For six days of uninterrupted operations, the USAR Málaga Team and the BBRE NGO conducted dozens of searches (over 30 interventions in various sectors), working side-by-side with local teams and other international organizations deployed in the area.
Cutting-Edge Technology to Save Lives
In collapsed structure scenarios, intuition and physical effort must be complemented by the best technology. During this mission, the team employed state-of-the-art tools:
Seismic and Acoustic Sensors: Capable of detecting the subtlest vibrations and sounds coming from people trapped deep beneath tons of concrete.
Drones with Thermal Cameras: Essential for obtaining aerial imagery and identifying signs of life through body heat in very adverse conditions.
Specialized Canine Unit: The unparalleled sense of smell of our rescue dogs was crucial for agilely delimiting areas with potential survivors.
Key Moments of the International Rescue
The harsh reality of an earthquake in Venezuela leaves us with heart-wrenching stories, blending profound sadness with the purest hope.
The Miracle of the Marín Family: One of the most emotional milestones of the mission occurred on the third day of operations (June 29th). After intense tracking work, our team managed to locate a Galician family of 4 (a couple and two young children) who had been missing. Thanks to rapid coordination with the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Xunta de Galicia, this rescue was officially confirmed, restoring hope to the entire camp and their relatives in Spain. They were alive!
Stories of Hope and Resilience in the Rubble
Not all moments were easy. Throughout the mission, the team faced extreme and highly emotional situations:
The rescue of an animal life: After hearing sounds under the rubble of a building at risk of partial collapse, the team successfully rescued a dog, reminding us that every life matters and deserves to be saved.
The bravery of our canine unit: During one of the difficult searches, one of our rescue dogs was injured. Fortunately, she was immediately attended to by the team's veterinarians and was able to recover.
The memory of Valentina: With deep sorrow, we participated in the search for Valentina, a 14-year-old girl trapped in a collapsed school. Despite tireless efforts throughout the night, we could not reach her in time. Subsequently, we collaborated with the authorities in marking victims for recovery, treating each situation with the utmost respect, humanity, and dignity.
The Unwavering Commitment of the BBRE NGO and Málaga Firefighters
The mission concluded after 6 days of arduous, uninterrupted work, leaving an indelible mark on both the local Venezuelan population and our own rescuers. From the BBRE NGO, we want to express our infinite gratitude for the titanic effort of the Provincial Firefighters Consortium of Málaga and the support of the Provincial Council of Málaga.
Values such as borderless solidarity, technical preparedness, experience, and a profound vocation for service have been demonstrated once again. We will always be where we are needed most, because we have a very clear conviction: together, we save lives.