LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Rescuers pulled a man alive from the rubble of a collapsed shopping center in Venezuela on Thursday, eight days after powerful earthquakes struck the country.
Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a 43- or 44-year-old security guard, was freed from the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande mall in the coastal city of La Guaira after being trapped under nearly 30 feet (about 9 meters) of debris. He survived in an intact security booth and was reported in stable and good condition following the operation, according to officials and rescue teams.
The rescue, described by teams as "miraculous," involved local and international responders, including from Chile, who worked for days amid unstable rubble and aftershocks. It offered a rare moment of hope as search efforts continued more than a week after the twin quakes.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit northwestern and central Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction in areas including La Guaira and near Caracas. Official figures indicate the death toll has surpassed 2,200-2,595, with thousands more injured and millions affected.
Rescue operations have involved teams from multiple countries, with ongoing challenges from damaged infrastructure, power outages and blocked roads. Some survivors have been found after extended periods under rubble, though hopes have faded in many areas.
Gil's extraction followed a grueling multi-day effort and came as broader recovery efforts focus on shelter, medical aid and infrastructure repair. Authorities and international partners continue assessing the full extent of the damage.
