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Chilean Firefighters Rescue Man After 8 Days Trapped in Mall

7/2/2026

44 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Chilean firefighters led an operation that rescued Hernán Gil Flores after he was trapped eight days in Galerías Playa Grande mall collapse.
Rescuers used a telescopic camera, supplied water and oxygen through a hose, and kept him alive beyond the usual 48- to 72-hour window.
The rescue, which followed June 24 twin quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that killed over 2,200 people, was praised by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on X.

History

Historical Context

The 19 September 1985 magnitude-8.0 quake devastated Mexico City, killing at least 5,000 and collapsing 412 buildings. President Miguel de la Madrid’s initial refusal of foreign aid spurred the creation of the Civil Protection Committee and, in February 1986, the volunteer “Mole Brigade of Tlatelolco,” which later assisted disasters worldwide. Annual 19 September evacuation drills now test the protocols born from that tragedy.

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Story summary

Chilean firefighters led an operation that rescued Hernán Gil Flores after he was trapped eight days in Galerías Playa Grande mall collapse.
Rescuers used a telescopic camera, supplied water and oxygen through a hose, and kept him alive beyond the usual 48- to 72-hour window.
The rescue, which followed June 24 twin quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that killed over 2,200 people, was praised by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on X.

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