German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has offered military assistance to Venezuela after the South American country was hit by two major earthquakes, which are feared to have left scores of people dead.
"The Bundeswehr is on standby and can make up to six A400M transport aircraft available at short notice as soon as a request for support is received," Pistorius said in his ministry’s WhatsApp channel on Thursday.
The planes could be used to airlift personnel and supplies to Venezuela but also to facilitate transport flights within the country, according to the minister.
Pistorius said he had been "deeply shocked" by the news out of Venezuela overnight. "The two earthquakes are said to have been among the most severe of the year so far. We must now provide aid as quickly as possible," wrote Pistorius.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the two earthquakes that struck on Wednesday evening at magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
Authorities have so far reported at least 32 people dead and around 700 injured, but with rescue operations continuing, there are fears of a much higher death toll. A model calculation by the USGS showed a very high likelihood of more than 1,000 deaths.
