Full Breakdown
Hernán Gil Flores Rescued After Eight Days Beneath Rubble
7/3/2026, 8:29:01 PM
The Rescue
On 2 July 2026, rescuers lifted 43-year-old security guard Hernán Gil Flores from the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping centre in Catia La Mar after eight days beneath rubble from the 24 June twin earthquakes. The effort required tunneling through unstable concrete, supplying water and oxygen, and lasted over 100 hours.
Background & Impact
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes devastated La Guaira, destroying up to 60,000 buildings. Official tallies list at least 2,295 deaths, 11,000 injuries and 13,000 homeless; the UN estimates about 50,000 missing and $6.7 billion in damage.
Participants
Rescue teams from Venezuela, Chile, the United States, Portugal, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico collaborated. Chilean firefighters led the operation; U.S. Los Angeles County Fire’s Manny Sampang coordinated American support; Minyar Collado (Costa Rica) first located Gil; Cristian Vera (Chile) oversaw technical work.
Timeline
24 June 2026 – earthquakes collapse the mall. 27 June – Costa Rican team detects life signs. 28-30 June – tunnel dug, water and oxygen supplied. 2 July – Gil extracted and taken to a Red Cross ambulance.
Official Statements
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanked rescuers, praising collective humanity. The UNDP warned of a health crisis and valued damage at $6.7 billion. The U.S. State Department pledged $150 million in aid, supplementing a $300 million commitment. The World Food Programme appealed for $50 million to feed 500,000 people for three months.
Criticism
Opposition and residents accuse the interim government of a slow, inadequate response, citing medical shortages, delayed aid and reports of looting at rubble sites. Essential water and food reportedly remained unavailable for days.
On-the-Ground
Rescuers carried Gil on a stretcher draped in an orange tarp while crowds waved flags from Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and others. Witnesses reported cheers, applause and embraces as a telescopic camera kept visual contact.
Conflicting Data
Death counts range from 2,200 to 2,295; building damage estimates vary between 58,870 and 60,000 structures. The UN cites roughly 50,000 missing, while other sources speak of “tens of thousands.” Rescue duration is reported as 70 hours or “over 100 hours.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we found him, he asked us not to tell his wife that he was alive, just in case he wouldn’t make it,” — Minyar Collado, Costa Rican Red Cross rescuer
- “This is truly a miracle.” — Gusbimar González, wife of Hernán Gil
- “We celebrate the greatness of humanity, when it is united for a single purpose: to save another.” — Delcy Rodríguez, acting President of Venezuela
- “only miraculous rescues have been achieved” — Sebastián Mocorquer, UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team
What’s Next
Humanitarian agencies are scaling relief, with the World Food Programme targeting 500,000 people for three-month food aid and UNDP planning reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Ongoing medical support aims to prevent disease outbreaks while donors continue to pledge financial assistance for the coming months.
