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.
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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.
