Rescue Operations Continue To Free Trapped Venezuelans A Week After Devastating Earthquakes

A major multinational rescue operation is underway in Venezuela as hundreds of rescuers race against time to save a 43-year-old man who has been trapped for a week under the rubble of a collapsed seven-storey building following devastating twin earthquakes. The victim, identified as Hernan Gil, a security guard, remains alive inside his booth beneath the structure where he worked in Catia La Mar, a coastal town heavily damaged by the quakes.

The earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck on June 24 and left widespread destruction across the region, flattening large parts of the coastal area and killing nearly 2,300 people, with thousands still missing. Despite the scale of devastation, rescue teams have continued to search for survivors, with Gil’s case emerging as one of the most remarkable signs of life a week after the disaster.

Rescue efforts have brought together teams from seven countries — Venezuela, Chile, the United States, Portugal, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico — working around the clock over the past three days. By Wednesday, rescuers were reportedly within one metre of Gil’s location, according to officials at the site, raising hopes that he could be pulled out alive after days trapped beneath unstable debris.

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Chile’s fire service released video footage showing Gil inside the confined space, moving his head as rescuers spoke to him through communication lines. He appeared weak but conscious, wearing a face mask with a bloodshot right eye. His wife, Gusbimar Gonzalez, described the situation as “a miracle,” expressing disbelief at the international coordination involved in the rescue effort and her hope that he would soon be freed safely.

Rescue teams have faced extreme challenges due to the instability of the collapsed structure and the risk of further collapse from an adjacent building. Engineers have reinforced parts of the debris with wood and iron supports to prevent additional shifting while carefully clearing pathways to reach the trapped man. According to officials, rescuers initially attempted to dig a narrow tunnel measuring 60 by 60 centimetres, but the plan was abandoned after the structure shifted, forcing teams to redesign their approach.

Cristian Vera, head of the Chilean rescue team, said the complexity of the structure, including large concrete pillars, has made access extremely difficult. “This is a rather complicated structure to access,” he told AFP, adding that multiple entry routes are now being pursued simultaneously. Meanwhile, rescuers have been providing Gil with water and a tube supplying air to keep him stable as they inch closer to his location.

As the operation continues, hope remains fragile but alive. Authorities say the next phase of the rescue will be critical, as even minor structural movement could jeopardise the entire effort. Still, the coordination between international teams and the visible signs of survival have turned Gil’s case into a rare beacon of hope amid one of the deadliest natural disasters the region has faced in years.

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