Venezuela saw dramatic rescue as Hernán Gil emerged alive from rubble, trapped eight days after devastating earthquakes. Pulled from beneath 140 tonnes of debris on July 2,2026,rescuers found him over 100 hours after first hearing his faint cries for help.
The quakes hit June 24 . Catastrophic. 2,595 dead,many missing. International teams rushed in from Chile, Costa Rica,El Salvador,Mexico,Portugal, and the U.S. to aid Venezuela .
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who visited Gil in hospital, called him a "living miracle" on social media. At a press conference,she called the disaster "a natural tragedy on a scale we never imagined" and defended the government's response amid criticism. She highlighted deployment of thousands of officials in the aftermath.
Rescue faced hurdles. Collapsing ducts slowed access to Gil. A Chilean firefighter called it "the most complex and technically difficult" rescue he'd seen. Teams navigated treacherous conditions to make contact with Gil,who was stuck in small concrete booth by the Galerias Playa Grande mall .
Incredibly, Gil had no serious injuries. A Costa Rican Red Cross worker noted he didn't even have a crushed nail. He was given water,medical support,and an IV drip while trapped. Rescuers communicated with him, passing face mask through a small opening to shield him from dust.
Marco Antonio Franco from the Mexican Red Cross said Gil was cheerful, asking for specific hydration drinks. His attitude lifted the team,recognizing members and urging them on.
Allan Madrigal,the paramedic who first heard Gil's cries, recalled the emotional moment of realizing someone was alive under the rubble. Unsure at first, he confirmed with a colleague before the team ramped up efforts to save Gil. The operation showcased the resolve and expertise of international rescue teams.
As rescue ended,Madrigal reflected on the mission's impact. "The lad who came here a week ago is not the same one that will return to Costa Rica, believe me." Gil’s ordeal changed him and those who saved him.
