Man Rescued Alive After 8 Days Under Venezuela Earthquake Rubble

Hernan Alberto Gil Flores was rescued alive after being trapped for eight days beneath the rubble of a nine-story building in Catia La Mar, northern Venezuela, following powerful earthquakes that struck the region. The rescue operation lasted about 70 hours and involved removing approximately 140 tons of debris. Gil Flores, who worked as a security guard in an underground parking lot of a shopping mall, survived without injuries, reportedly protected by the small space where he was trapped.

The rescue began when a member of the search team heard Gil Flores' faint cries through the concrete debris. Rescue workers from Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal, and the United States collaborated in the complex operation. Some access tunnels collapsed multiple times during the effort, highlighting the dangers faced by both rescuers and the survivor. Medical teams provided fluids and connected Gil Flores to an IV during the extraction.

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez called the rescue "a real miracle" during her visit to Gil Flores in the hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition. The earthquake disaster has resulted in 2,954 confirmed deaths and approximately 41,000 people missing. Around 30,000 rescuers, including teams from Israel, are currently working in Venezuela to assist with ongoing relief efforts.