Dutch navy ship heads for Venezuela with aid and supplies

The Dutch navy has sent a ship to Venezuela carrying aid for victims of the two earthquakes that devastated the South American country last week.

The Zr. Ms. Groningen was operating in the Dutch Caribbean region when the earthquake struck and took on supplies in Curaçao, which lies 65km from the Venezuelan coast, before heading to the earthquake zone.

The death toll from the quakes has reached 1,430, while efforts to rescue survivors have been hampered by more than 200 aftershocks and a lack of heavy machinery.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the large numbers of injured patients, as well as shortages of equipment, medicines, first aid materials and protective clothing.

The two quakes, with an epicentre around 150 kilometres west of the capital Caracas, struck within 40 seconds of each other and measured 7.1 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, making them the most powerful to hit the country in 125 years.

Helicopter and speedboats

Zr. Ms. Groningen is due to arrive in Venezuela at around 3.30pm local time with supplies of food, water and aid, including a water purification system. The crew has been told to provide assistance in collaboration with local authorities and the UN.

The ministry of defence said a military NH-90 helicopter and two FRIC speedboats were also being transported for use in the earthquake zone.

On Saturday a team from Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), composed of 64 rescue workers and eight dogs, flew out from Eindhoven to join the search for survivors. Venezuela says more than 2,700 international rescue workers are currently in the country.