21-Year-Old Survives Five Days Under Rubble After El Salvador Earthquake

Aaron Levy Cantillo Vargas, a 21-year-old man, was rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed residential building five days after a powerful earthquake struck El Salvador and surrounding areas last weekend. The rescue operation was announced by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on his social media account X. According to the president, the successful extraction was the result of an intensive and coordinated effort lasting several hours, involving emergency teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador.

The rescue began early in the morning when the teams precisely located Aaron's position. During the wait, a Salvadoran medical team managed to reach him to provide fluids and sustain his survival. The operation faced significant technical and logistical challenges, including blocked access routes caused by the body of one of the earthquake victims. Rescuers prioritized the respectful and careful removal of the deceased before continuing to free Aaron.

President Bukele expressed gratitude for the "miracle" and emphasized that efforts continue to save more lives amid the disaster's aftermath.