Britain’s King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply saddened” by the earthquakes which struck Venezuela on Wednesday, leaving nearly 1,000 people dead.
In a message published on Friday night and addressed to “the people of Venezuela”, Charles said: “My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the devastating earthquakes that have struck your country, and of the tragic loss of life and suffering they have caused.
“At this most difficult of times, we send our profound sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
“Our special thoughts are with the injured, those awaiting news of family and friends, and the emergency responders working tirelessly to support those in desperate need.
“We greatly admire the resilience and strength of the Venezuelan people and send our most heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”
Wednesday’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes were among the strongest to hit Venezuela for more than a century and could be felt throughout the region.
Local authorities have reported 920 people died and 3,360 were injured in the earthquakes, with the toll expected to continue rising.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week’s devastating earthquakes.
“The UK stands in solidarity with all those affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.”
A British search and rescue team provided by UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) – which responds to disasters on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – has been deployed to the South American country on Friday.
The 68-strong team, made up of personnel from fire brigades across the country, left RAF Brize Norton along with six specialist search dogs and humanitarian staff.
As well as the UKISAR team, Britain has dispatched members of the UK Emergency Medical Team to prepare for a further medical deployment.
The Government has also made £2 million ($2.6 million) of humanitarian funding available to help respond to the disaster.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office confirmed that UK staff were all safe and accounted for after the British embassy in Caracas was damaged in the earthquakes.
The embassy – which is on the 11th floor of an office tower in the north-east of the city – has been closed, but alternative arrangements have been put in place to assist British nationals in the country.
The number of British citizens in Venezuela is understood to be in the low hundreds and there have been no reports of Britons killed or injured, it is understood.