On 24 June twin earthquakes struck Venezuela, collapsing a parking lot adjacent to the Galerias Playa Grande mall in Catia la Mar. Security guard Hernán Gil was buried under 140 tonnes of rubble, but after more than 100 hours of painstaking work an international rescue crew finally pulled him out.
Despite the crushing weight, Gil emerged physically unscathed, reporting that even his nail remained intact. Rescuers supplied water, an oxygen mask and a neck collar while doctors treated him in a nearby hospital.
International teams coordinated their efforts, building access tunnels that collapsed several times, underscoring the dangerous conditions faced by the crew. A Chilean firefighter described the operation as the most technically challenging one he has encountered.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez visited the medical centre and praised Gil as a ‘living miracle,’ assuring the public that the government was dedicated to rapid relief and had deployed thousands of officials to support the emergency response.
The disaster continues to claim lives: over 2,595 people have died and thousands remain missing. Stories such as Gil’s highlight enduring human resilience amid widespread calamity.
During the evacuation, Gil requested specific flavours of water, turning the ordeal into a brief moment of everyday normality for the rescuers captured on camera. Mexican Red Cross volunteer Marco Antonio Franco noted Gil’s cheerful disposition, with the man guiding the team through each step and recognizing every face that appeared.
