Survivor rescued in Venezuela eight days after double earthquake

Hernán Gil, a 43-year-old security guard, was rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, eight days after two powerful earthquakes struck the region.

Key points

• The rescue operation involved over 100 specialists from Venezuela, Portugal, the United States, Chile, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
• Rescuers maintained communication with Gil through cameras and provided him with water and oxygen during the multi-day extraction.
• Official figures report 2,295 deaths and over 11,000 injuries following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes on June 24.
• The survivor was protected by a security booth that created a void space, allowing him to survive until his rescue.

Why it matters

The rescue is considered a rare success in a disaster that has claimed thousands of lives and left tens of thousands missing, highlighting the effectiveness of international search and rescue cooperation.