American rescue teams pull a baby alive from the rubble of Venezuela’s earthquake
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American rescue teams have pulled a baby alive from under rubble in Venezuela days after an earthquake devastated the country, the US State Department said on Saturday.
The State Department shared a video on social media showing US workers pulling a baby from the rubble as rescuers continue to search for survivors more than 72 hours after two powerful earthquakes struck the South American country.
The baby was 9 months old and was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital. Both received only minor injuries, according to the rescue team.
“This rescue operation was carried out in Catia La Mar by the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USA-01) team, which was sent to Venezuela on June 26 following the initiation of the Department of State,” said a spokesperson for the State Department.
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US rescue teams have also rescued a baby who was trapped under the rubble following this week’s deadly earthquake in Venezuela, according to the State Department. (Department of State)
The rescue comes as emergency services race against time to find survivors before the critical recovery window closes.
“Against the odds, hope endures,” the State Department wrote in X.
“US search and rescue teams rescue baby from rubble after Venezuela earthquake,” the post continued. “Every life saved is a victory.”
The White House also shared the video, calling it “America at its best.”
“Thank you to the US search teams that are providing assistance in Venezuela,” the White House wrote.
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Rescuers search for debris three days after an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Day and night rescue efforts have continued since earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the northern coast of Venezuela on Wednesday.
As of Saturday evening, officials said the death toll from the twin earthquakes had reached 1,430.
Earlier on Saturday, officials reported that 243 people were rescued.
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Rescuers with a rescue dog help in rescue efforts after an earthquake in the country, La Guaira, Venezuela, on Saturday. (REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
According to the Associated Press, more than 68,000 people are still missing across the country.
Aid groups consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster to be the most critical window for finding survivors, although access to food and water can extend that time.
Venezuelan officials said 17 planes carrying more than 1,600 rescuers arrived Saturday to help with search and rescue efforts.
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Members of the international team of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (USA-2) are preparing to go to Venezuela, in Pacoima, Calif., on Thursday. (Blake Fagan/AFP via Getty Images)
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Virginia, California and Florida were sent to Venezuela on Friday to help search for collapsed buildings.
According to the State Department, the three USAR teams include 312 personnel and 18 canine teams, including firefighters, medics, civil engineers and dog search specialists. The teams also invested more than £200,000 in specialist rescue equipment.
The Los Angeles County team includes 73 members armed with concrete breakers and special listening devices used to find survivors trapped under the rubble.
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Responders search for victims in a collapsed building in Caracas, Venezuela, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the region. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Rescuers were out in force in La Guaira, where the worst damage occurred, and in parts of Caracas, where families and volunteers spent days pulling survivors and victims from the rubble.
The United States has pledged $150 million in emergency aid and support to international aid organizations responding to the disaster.
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Fox News Digital contacted the State Department for more information about the rescue.
James Cirrone of Fox News Digital, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
