Carlos Miguel Colmenares, a 12-year-old boy, was miraculously rescued alive on Monday night in the Macuto area of La Guaira, after being trapped for five days beneath the ruins of a residential building destroyed by the earthquakes that shook Venezuela on June 24th.
The operation was carried out by the USAR ECU-01 team from the Quito Fire Department, which included 47 specialized Ecuadorian firefighters. They coordinated with rescuers from the Dominican Republic and Venezuelan personnel, working tirelessly amid the debris.
Advanced Technology Leads to Carlos' Rescue
To locate Carlos, the teams utilized specialized endoscopic cameras known as "Leader Multi-Search." These devices allow a lens to be inserted between the rubble, projecting an image on a screen of otherwise inaccessible areas.
This technology was crucial in detecting Carlos alive and signaled the start of the extraction process. Once freed, he was placed on a rigid stretcher and transported by ambulance for specialized medical care.
Hope Amidst Despair
The Ecuadorian firefighters expressed their emotions, stating, "Finding signs of life five days after the earthquake is the greatest motivation to keep going. Every rescued individual represents a family regaining hope, reminding us that it is worth continuing the search. As long as there's a chance, we will keep looking," they shared on X.
Commander Esteban Cárdenas Varela shared an emotional message on X: "We poured our hearts into this rescue! Amid disaster, we cling to life with hope and faith, just as young Carlos and our team did, alongside Dominican and Venezuelan rescuers, driven by their love for life."
One Ecuadorian rescuer captured the spirit of the operation in a video: "Here, we aren't looking at flags; we're focused on saving lives, the lives of brothers, of people like us."
Cárdenas Varela concluded with a powerful statement that became a symbol of international solidarity: "We know no flags, no borders!"
A Historical Catastrophe
Carlos' rescue comes in the aftermath of the most devastating seismic event recorded in Venezuela since 1900. The twin earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 just 39 seconds apart, struck the northern region of the country on June 24th at 6:04 PM local time, with epicenters in Yaracuy state.
Macuto was left in ruins. The eight-story Hotel Eduard's completely collapsed, and the Pontacoral building, ranging from 10 to 12 floors, was utterly destroyed. The disaster struck during a holiday weekend when thousands of families were vacationing in the area, exacerbating the number of casualties.
As of Monday, official reports indicated 1,719 fatalities, 5,034 injuries, and 15,866 displaced individuals, with 189 buildings suffering complete collapse. The UN estimates up to 50,000 people are missing.
Other Miraculous Discoveries
Carlos' rescue wasn't the only beacon of hope. Days earlier, a 10-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child were also found alive by international teams. Additionally, an 18-day-old infant and his mother survived 32 hours under the debris in Playa Grande, while a 15-year-old girl was rescued by Salvadoran teams from the Bahía Mar building.
Over 2,200 rescuers from 17 countries remain deployed in the affected areas. Among the missing are at least 32 Cubans, with several families confirmed dead beneath the La Guaira rubble.
NASA estimated that nearly 59,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed across the country, while the UNDP assessed direct damages at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
FAQs About the Venezuelan Earthquake Rescue Efforts
What technology was used in the rescue of Carlos Miguel Colmenares?
Specialized endoscopic cameras known as "Leader Multi-Search" were used to detect Carlos' presence under the rubble, providing visual access to otherwise inaccessible areas.
How many countries are involved in the rescue operations in Venezuela?
Over 2,200 rescuers from 17 countries are currently deployed in the areas affected by the earthquakes.
What is the estimated damage caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela?
NASA estimated nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and the UNDP calculated direct damages at $6.7 billion, which is about 6% of Venezuela's GDP.