Eight days after the powerful earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, rescuers pulled a man alive from under the rubble. Local authorities and international rescue groups are calling this operation a "miraculous rescue."
According to reports, 43-year-old Hernán Gil, who worked as a security guard at a shopping center, was trapped under collapsed parking structure debris at a depth of approximately nine meters. The search and safe extraction operation lasted over 70 hours.
Rescuers used radar systems, specialized sound-detection equipment, and cameras to determine that Hernán Gil was alive. Afterward, water, food, and necessary medications were delivered to him through a narrow opening.
Specialists from Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, and other countries participated in the rescue efforts. The operation was carried out under extremely dangerous conditions, where structural elements of the building could collapse at any moment.
After the rescue, Hernán Gil was taken to the hospital. Doctors reported that his condition is stable, he is conscious, and all his vital signs are normal.
"Fortunately, as soon as Mr. Hernán was brought out to the ambulance, his condition stabilized. He was conscious when being taken to the hospital and was well aware of his surroundings. Currently, all his vital signs are normal," said Luis Rodriguez, a Venezuelan Red Cross paramedic who participated in the rescue.
According to the man's wife, Guzsvimar González, family members never lost hope of him remaining alive throughout the eight days. The news of the rescue gave them confidence once again.
Sebastian Mocorquer, a representative of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Group, emphasized that such cases are very rare. According to him, the first 72 hours after an earthquake are considered the "golden time" for finding survivors. After this period, the chance of survival drops sharply.
The Venezuelan government stated that search and rescue operations are still ongoing. According to the latest official data, at least 2,295 people have died as a result of the earthquakes. Rescuers continue to search for more survivors under the rubble.
