Spain To Send 54 Rescuers To Venezuela To Deal With Earthquake Aftermath - Reports

MOSCOW, June 25 (NNN-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Spanish Defence Ministry is preparing to send a plane with 54 rescuers to Venezuela to help the South American country deal with the consequences of the devastating earthquake, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported.

El Pais newspaper on Thursday reported, citing governmental sources, that the team will include specialists from the elite Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which specialises in locating and extracting people from rubble following natural disasters.

Earlier in the day, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said that Madrid would send to Venezuela all the emergency aid the country needed.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. According to the United States Geological Survey, the first measured magnitude 7.2 and the second 7.5. The quakes occurred 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Moron and 24 kilometres from San Felipe. A RIA Novosti correspondent reported damage and fatalities in Caracas.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people were killed and more than 900 injured.

-- NNN-BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI