Vietnamese rescue personnel carry out search and rescue operations in La Guaira State, Venezuela, following the devastating twin earthquakes. VNA/VNS Photo Phi Hùng

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese military and public security rescue teams have recovered a total of 54 bodies from collapsed buildings in Venezuela, after days of intensive search efforts following the country's devastating twin earthquakes, the Ministry of National Defence said.

On Saturday (local time), the Vietnamese contingent was divided into several teams to continue searching for victims trapped in the worst-hit area of Playa Grande in La Guaira State. During the day's operations, rescuers recovered nine more bodies, bringing the total number retrieved by the Vietnamese teams to 54.

The contingent also assisted local residents in moving belongings and continued providing free medical examinations and medicines to affected communities.

The Vietnamese rescue contingent's mobile medical station in La Guaira State, Venezuela, where the team has been providing free medical consultations and medicines to local residents affected by the twin earthquakes. VNA/VNS Photo Phi Hùng

On Friday morning (local time), soldiers from the Việt Nam People's Army, working alongside Venezuelan rescue forces and using specialised detection equipment, identified what appeared to be signs of life beneath a collapsed building in Playa Grande. The discovery triggered a race against time, with rescue crews searching continuously through the day and night.

The operation drew close attention from local authorities and residents. Visiting the site on Friday night, Commander of Venezuela's Militia Forces Nayade Lockiby Belmonte thanked Việt Nam for dispatching rescue personnel to assist with earthquake relief efforts.

He praised the close coordination between the Vietnamese and Venezuelan teams in the search for victims and confirmed that the Venezuelan authorities would continue providing maximum support to facilitate the Vietnamese contingent's mission.

After more than ten hours of painstaking work, Vietnamese rescuers reached the suspected location in the early hours of Saturday. But despite conducting a meticulous search of every accessible space around the site, they found no signs of survivors.

Also on Friday, Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez presided over a ceremony in La Guaira State to honour international rescue teams for their significant contributions to search and rescue operations following the twin earthquakes that struck the South American nation on June 24.

Addressing the ceremony, Rodríguez expressed her profound gratitude for the solidarity and timely assistance provided by foreign governments, international organisations and rescue teams during one of Venezuela's most difficult periods.

She said the presence of international rescue personnel in the disaster-stricken areas had brought hope to affected communities and demonstrated that Venezuela was not facing the disaster alone.

On the occasion, through Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vũ Trung Mỹ, the acting president presented a letter of appreciation and the Hero of Venezuela medal to Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm.

The ceremony was attended by President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Jorge Rodriguez Gomez, Secretary-General of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and Vice President for internal affairs Diosdado Cabello, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps and military attachés in Venezuela. — VNS