CATIA LA MAR, Venezuela – A 43-year-old security guard was rescued alive from the basement of a collapsed shopping center in Venezuela on Thursday, eight days after twin earthquakes devastated parts of the country, The Associated Press reported. The rescue followed a prolonged multinational operation that overcame unstable debris, heavy rainfall and repeated aftershocks.
Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was pulled from the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in the coastal town of Catia La Mar, in La Guaira state, where he had been trapped since the earthquakes struck on June 24.
Covered in dust and wearing an oxygen mask, Gil Flores was carried from the site on a stretcher before being transported by ambulance for medical evaluation. Rescue workers and volunteers applauded as the operation concluded after more than 100 hours of excavation.
International Teams Coordinated Rescue Effort
Rescue crews first established contact with Gil Flores over the weekend after detecting signs of life beneath the rubble. According to the AP, specialists worked continuously to create a safe tunnel through the unstable structure while supplying him with water and liquid nutrients through a narrow opening.
The operation involved urban search and rescue teams from Venezuela alongside specialists from Chile, the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Costa Rican Red Cross rescuer Minyar Collado told the AP that Gil Flores had asked rescuers not to inform his wife that he was alive until they were certain he could be saved. Despite the uncertainty, Collado said the team remained committed to bringing him out safely.
Survival Against the Odds
Emergency responders said Gil Flores survived because the small security cabin where he was working during the night shift remained largely intact as the surrounding structure collapsed. The cabin created a pocket of air that protected him from falling concrete and debris.
Specialized teams used a telescopic camera to maintain communication with him throughout the operation. During the final stages of the rescue, Chilean firefighter María Paz Campos spoke with Gil Flores continuously, encouraging him and providing instructions while debris continued to fall.
Video released by Chilean firefighters before the rescue showed Gil Flores drawing while waiting to be freed. Campos reminded him to keep protective goggles on to shield his eyes from dust and falling particles.
Family Awaits Rescue
Gil Flores’ wife, Gusbimar González, told the AP she had nearly lost hope before rescue teams confirmed they had made contact with her husband.
She said learning that he was alive gave her renewed hope after days of uncertainty. The couple has two children, ages 8 and 10.
Earthquakes Caused Widespread Devastation
The rescue comes after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24, with reported magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
According to the AP, the shallow earthquakes damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of buildings across the region. More than 2,200 people were killed, over 11,000 were injured, and La Guaira state experienced some of the country’s most severe destruction.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez praised both domestic and international rescue teams in a post on X, thanking them for their cooperation in saving lives. Her comments came as the government has faced criticism from many Venezuelans over its response to the disaster.
While Gil Flores’ rescue provided a rare moment of hope after more than a week of tragedy, emergency operations continue across affected areas as authorities assess damage and support displaced communities.
Tags: Venezuela, Earthquake, La Guaira, Catia La Mar, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, Search and Rescue, Natural Disaster, Costa Rican Red Cross, Chilean Firefighters, Delcy Rodríguez, Humanitarian Response, Americas
