Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 27: India has sent an army field hospital and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies to Venezuela to assist victims of two devastating earthquakes that claimed nearly 600 lives and injured thousands.

Two C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried the emergency assistance as part of India’s relief operation named “Operation Amistad”. The word “Amistad” means friendship in Spanish, the official language of Venezuela.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the assistance on social media, saying India is committed to supporting the Venezuelan government and people during the crisis.

The relief package includes an Indian Army field hospital unit, medicines, medical equipment and other essential supplies weighing over 35 tonnes.

The IAF aircraft also carried two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cubes, modular emergency medical systems developed by the Indian government. These mobile hospitals are designed for rapid deployment during disasters and provide critical care during the “golden hour” following emergencies.

Officials said personnel and equipment from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also airlifted to Venezuela to assist in search and rescue operations.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the death toll from the earthquakes had increased to 589, with 2,980 people injured.

The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck a minute apart on Wednesday night. The second quake was reported as the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900. More than 200 aftershocks have also been recorded.

International rescue teams, including 80 rescuers from Switzerland, teams from El Salvador and Mexico, and a rescue team from the Netherlands, have joined efforts to locate survivors and support relief operations.