In brief
In the wake of twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June, a man named Hernán Gil was found alive and trapped for more than 100 hours beneath 140 tonnes of rubble. Rescue teams from Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal, and the United States converged on the site to free him. His survival comes amid the toll of nearly 2,300 deaths, with tens of thousands still missing. The operation showcased exceptional coordination and perseverance across borders. As the nation grapples with widespread devastation, this rescue offers a glimmer of hope amid tragedy.
On 24 June, a pair of twin earthquakes rattled the Venezuelan state of Aragua, causing catastrophic damage and evacuating large swaths of the population. Subsequently, a 1,200‑ft building collapsed and buried a man, Hernán Gil, under approximately 140 tonnes of debris.
For more than 100 hours—roughly eight days—rescue teams from Venezuela and six foreign nations converged upon the ruins, employing a wide array of techniques: hydraulic machines, cranes, and manual shovels. Their efforts culminated in Gil's eventual emergence, alive, and without life‑threatening injuries.
Officials confirmed that nearly 2,300 people lost their lives in the quakes, while tens of thousands remain unaccounted for. This rescue is a rare bright spot in a landscape of overwhelming loss and ongoing recovery challenges.
- Rescue teams: Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal, United States
- Rubble weight: ~140 tonnes
- Time under rubble: >100 hours
- Casualties: ~2,300 dead, tens of thousands missing
The operation underscores both the human cost of Venezuela’s disaster and the resilience of an international coalition working under dire circumstances.
