At the heart of a tense rescue mission, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a 43-year-old Venezuelan security guard, was pulled from the ruins of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in Catia La Mar, La Guaira, after being trapped for eight harrowing days. This remarkable rescue, involving teams from seven different nations, unfolded over more than 72 hours of relentless effort.
Reports from EFE and The Associated Press at the scene described how Gil Flores was carefully placed on a stretcher and transported by ambulance to a hospital in Caracas for medical evaluation.
Real-Time Rescue Updates
El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, provided live updates on social media, sharing the dramatic journey and ultimate success of the mission:
"After over 72 hours of continuous effort, overcoming a severely unstable structure, aftershocks, and the need to forge a new access path, we have succeeded in rescuing Hernán Alberto Gil Flores alive," Bukele announced, adding, "Thank God for this miracle. Stay strong, Venezuela."
The Shelter That Saved Him
On the night of June 24, Hernán was stationed in an underground parking lot guard booth when two massive earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, rocked northern Venezuela. The booth's sturdy construction spared him from the building's collapse, creating an air pocket that kept him alive beneath more than 140 tons of debris.
It was Allan Madrigal from the Costa Rican Red Cross who first detected Hernán's voice on Sunday, June 29, about 100 hours post-quake. Their initial exchange was brief yet hopeful: "Is anyone alive?" Madrigal called out. "Yes," Hernán replied. "Are you trapped?" "No, I'm free."
Challenges and Triumphs in the Rescue Operation
The formal rescue efforts commenced at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30. During the operation, the neighboring building shifted a millimeter per hour—a rate that increased ninefold—and the parking lot itself moved three centimeters. Continuous aftershocks and rain caused multiple tunnel collapses, necessitating the creation of a second access point.
At a critical juncture, only eight rescuers remained on site. Luis Farias, president of the Venezuelan Red Cross, recounted the intensity of the moment: "At one point, it was just us and the Costa Ricans. We felt isolated, but our calls for reinforcements were eventually heard."
Assistance arrived from El Salvador, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United States, with up to 300 individuals working in shifts to build support structures and deliver water and medicine. The final extraction was guided by veteran Chilean firefighter, María Paz Campos, who provided comfort to Hernán during his release.
A Personal and Collective Triumph
Hernán requested the rescuers not inform his wife of his survival in case he didn't make it. Minyar Collado of the Costa Rican Red Cross confirmed to AP, "He asked us not to tell his wife he was alive unless we were sure he would survive."
Gusbimar González, Hernán's wife, had been waiting outside the collapsed building since June 25. "Those were days filled with sadness, pain, and despair," she told AP. "But when I learned he was alive, it was like a ray of light in the darkness."
A Historic Disaster and a Symbol of Hope
Hernán's rescue stands as a beacon of hope amid Venezuela's most devastating seismic catastrophe in over a century, which resulted in 2,295 confirmed deaths, 11,267 injuries, and 12,841 displaced individuals, with the UN estimating up to 50,000 missing.
Farias summed up the mission's unwavering resolve: "From the start, we questioned our role, but the answer was always to stay by this man's side. We couldn't have given him hope after five days just to leave him there."
Frequently Asked Questions About the Venezuela Earthquake Rescue
How long was Hernán trapped under the rubble?
Hernán was trapped under the debris for eight days before being rescued.
Which countries participated in the rescue operation?
Rescuers from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United States were involved in the operation.
What challenges did the rescuers face during the operation?
The rescuers faced challenges including unstable structures, aftershocks, rain-induced collapses, and the need to create a new access point.