Thirty Countries Participating In Rescue Operations In Venezuela - Acting President

CARACAS (Venezuela), June 30 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Rescue teams from 30 countries are participating in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"We continue rescue efforts to search for survivors ... Another team from Vietnam arrived today, as well as rescuers from sisterly Cuba. We continue to join forces. Thirty countries are already in Venezuela, fulfilling the noble mission of saving lives, participating in search and rescue efforts, and supporting our people in these difficult times," Rodriguez said on Monday.

She added that authorities have begun assessing the condition of damaged buildings. In addition, Rodriguez noted that families who lost their homes will be temporarily housed in specially created camps, and the ministry of housing is already preparing a program to build new homes. According to her, authorities expect to provide housing to thousands of affected families by the end of this year.

At the same time, the Italian Foreign Ministry said that 11 Italian citizens died in the earthquake in Venezuela, and the search for 40 is ongoing.

Over 100 Italian specialists, including civil defence personnel, firefighters, medics, and search and rescue experts, have been dispatched to Venezuela. Italy also delivered humanitarian aid and equipment on two military transport flights.

On Wednesday, two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela. According to the latest official data, the death toll reached 1,719, and over 5,000 people were injured.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI