China to send aid, rescue team to quake-hit Venezuela

China said on June 26 it will provide emergency humanitarian assistance and dispatch a rescue team to Venezuela following twin earthquakes that killed at least 235 people, including two Chinese nationals.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing had conveyed its condolences to the Venezuelan government and people after the earthquakes on June 24 caused heavy casualties and widespread economic damage, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

"The Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China will provide emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela, respectively," Guo told reporters in Beijing.

He said China would also send a rescue team to support search-and-rescue operations and medical relief efforts.

"Verified information shows that as of today, two Chinese nationals have died in the earthquakes," Guo said, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela was providing consular assistance and working to determine the safety of other Chinese citizens in the country.

Venezuela declared a state of emergency on June 24 after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake followed by a magnitude 7.5 quake struck parts of the country, killing at least 235 people and injuring more than 4,300 others.

By Sabina Mammadli