Venezuela earthquakes: Los Angeles County firefighters assist in search, rescue and damage assessment efforts

LOS ANGELES () — Los Angeles County firefighters are in Venezuela to assist with rescue and relief efforts, according to officials.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said its urban search and rescue team, known as “USA-2,” is conducting ground and aerial damage assessments. Members on Sunday will also focus on search-and-rescue operations in an effort to locate survivors.

About 80 personnel from Los Angeles are deployed to Venezuela for at least the next two weeks as part of a U.S. State Department mission, the fire department said.

Some two dozen countries so far have sent aid to Venezuela in the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquakes, according to the country’s acting president.

“We have received support from 24 countries in the international community, which have sent 521 tons of supplies, 86 canine units, and more than 2,741 members of search, rescue, and support personnel, who are already integrated with our teams,” Acting President Delcy Rodríguez posted on X Saturday night.

At least 1,430 people were killed and more than 3,200 injured in Wednesday’s pair of powerful earthquakes, according to officials.

News contributed to this report.