Rescuers who worked in Venezuela after earthquake return to Lithuania

A specialized Lithuanian search and rescue team (LERT) is set to return to their home country today, July 13th, after an intensive 14-day mission in Venezuela. The team was deployed to aid in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that struck the region, undertaking critical search and rescue operations.

The LERT contingent comprises 20 officers from the State Fire and Rescue Service, accompanied by two handlers with service dogs from the State Border Guard Service, and two medics from the Emergency Medical Services. Their efforts in Venezuela were focused on locating and assisting survivors amidst the widespread destruction caused by the seismic events.

The team's arrival is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Vilnius Airport. They will be welcomed by several high-ranking officials, including the head of the National Crisis Management Center, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, the acting Minister of the Interior, Vladislavas Kondratovičius, the Director of the State Fire and Rescue Department, Renatas Požėla, and the Deputy Head of the State Border Guard Service, Antanas Montvydas. The return marks the end of a challenging humanitarian deployment for the Lithuanian specialists.