Turkish search-and-rescue teams have arrived in Venezuela to assist emergency operations following two powerful earthquakes that caused widespread destruction across the country.

Two Turkish military transport aircraft carrying rescue personnel and equipment landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas, where they were welcomed by Türkiye’s ambassador to Venezuela, Naci Aydan Karamanoglu.

The ambassador said that Venezuela has suffered an unprecedented disaster after being struck by two major earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude - the strongest seismic events the country has experienced in more than 125 years.

"The scale of destruction is reminiscent of the February 6 tragedy in Türkiye," Karamanoglu said, referring to the devastating earthquakes that hit southern Türkiye in 2023.

Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Assistance Brigade, Brigadier General Mehmet Bahtiyar, said the deployed team is fully equipped for search-and-rescue operations. The contingent includes four specially trained rescue dogs that will help locate survivors in areas affected by the earthquakes.