NewsNBC 6 South FloridaJuly 2, 2026Miami-Dade
Security guard rescued after 8 days trapped in Venezuelan earthquake rubble
A 43-year-old security guard was rescued alive from the basement of a collapsed shopping center in La Guaira, Venezuela, eight days after twin earthquakes struck the region. International rescue teams sustained him with food and water through a narrow shaft until they could safely extract him on Thursday.
Read the full story at NBC 6 South FloridaWhy It Matters
The rescue marks a rare survival story following twin earthquakes that killed over 2,200 people and injured 11,000 in northern Venezuela.
Key Facts
- Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was rescued alive after being trapped for eight days in the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center.
- The twin earthquakes occurred on June 24 with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
- The disaster resulted in over 2,200 deaths and 11,000 injuries across northern Venezuela.
- The survivor was protected by his security cabin, which created a pocket of air and shielded him from debris.
- International rescue teams from Chile, the U.S., Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Venezuela coordinated the operation.
- Rescuers established contact with the survivor on Sunday and provided water and liquid nutrients via a narrow shaft.
- The rescue exceeded the standard 48-to-72-hour survival window for disaster victims.
- La Guaira state is identified as the region most severely impacted by the tremors.
Who's Mentioned
locationLa Guaira“The coastal town and state hardest hit by the earthquakes.”personHernán Alberto Gil Flores“The 43-year-old security guard rescued from the rubble.”personMaría Paz Campos“Chilean firefighter who communicated with the survivor during the rescue.”personGusbimar González“Wife of the survivor.”personMinyar Collado“Costa Rican Red Cross rescuer.”locationGalerías Playa Grande“The shopping center where the collapse occurred.”