Venezuela’s minister visits field hospital, thanks India for relief

Caracas: Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil visited the Indian Army’s field hospital in Caracas and thanked India for its earthquake relief efforts. The field hospital, set up at the International La Rinco­nada Racetrack, is providing care to affected people.

“On behalf of the Bolivarian Government and the people of Venezuela, we express our most sincere gratitude to the Government and the people of India, especially to PM Narendra Modi, for extending a helping hand to those who have suffered as a result of this calamity,” Gil said on X on Saturday.

Indian Ambassador PK Ashok Babu accompanied Gil during the visit. The Indian Embassy in Caracas said Gil met doctors and members of the public at the field hospital and thanked India for its relief efforts. Meanwhile, the death toll from the June 24 twin tremors has risen to 2,645, and 12,666 people were injured, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez, also the head of  the command centre for temporary camps, said 6,462 people had been rescued and 86,117 families had received aid. The quakes damaged 885 buildings and caused 189 others to collapse.