A Canadian search and rescue unit assisted in locating a young boy trapped under earthquake debris in Venezuela, where official records state the death toll has neared 3,000 and displaced over 16,000 residents, Global News reported on July 5, 2026.
Seven members and two specialized search dogs from Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue spent four days conducting operations across the most heavily impacted regions alongside thousands of local and international relief workers.
Devastation and Rapid Response
Upon returning home, Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue President Ryan Berry described the extensive devastation encountered by the deployment unit during their operations.
"If I were to describe it in one word, I’d say it was devastating," said Berry. "We were in areas where entire blocks were all collapsed.
Anywhere from low-rise to high-rise buildings at all pancaked and collapsed completely. So devastating."
The team operated as a light urban search and rescue unit, a structural choice that deployment directors noted allowed them to bypass traditional logistical delays and enter the disaster zone rapidly.
"Being light compared to medium to heavy teams gives us the operational agility to get into country sooner," said Shawn Mohammed, Deployment Director.
"Within that first 48 to 36 hours, it’s imperative to get someone in country to start understanding where the needs are."
The personnel utilized specialized technical search methods while navigating through collapsed structures amidst sweltering weather conditions.
"We start with our drone, and then our canine teams go onto the pile," said Berry.
"Our canine team are trained for live and deceased indications, so they can distinguish between the two."
The deployed canine units eventually secured a breakthrough after tracking distinct signs of life within the wreckage.
"Both our K9 units, separately, both indicated a live hit," said Berry. "From there, we deployed our DELSAR, which is acoustic listening equipment."
The deployment team subsequently confirmed that a young boy was successfully extracted alive from the location where the equipment detected the signals.
"But when you’re in that situation and you’re working on sites where family members are digging with their bare hands trying to find their loved ones, it’s a very limited feeling (of) celebration," said Berry.
Local citizens have raised concerns regarding the official government response, pointing toward widespread logistical delays in distributing relief supplies and a lack of necessary heavy machinery.
"We become very crafty in getting around and finding ways to connect with people," said Mohammed.
"If there’s work to be done, we don’t shut down, we keep moving and working."
Although the Burnaby unit has completed its specific deployment timeline, organizers emphasized that the ongoing recovery of the area remains a primary concern.
"I know that our time frame in Venezuela is short but our hearts and our thoughts are still with the Venezuelan people," said Mohammed.
"It’s a long road ahead."
While the search unit has returned to Canada, broader humanitarian support continues through the Canadian Medical Assistance Team, which is establishing emergency infrastructure to alleviate pressure on local medical facilities.
