Venezuelan security guard pulled alive from building basement 8 days after twin quakes

[FakeNoose]

Source: AP News

CATIA LA MAR, Venezuela (AP) — Rescuers pulled a 43-year-old security guard alive from a collapsed basement early Thursday, ending a grueling days-long operation that became a symbol of hope after the devastation of twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela eight days earlier.

Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was extracted safely after being trapped since June 24 under the rubble in the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in the coastal town in La Guaira. Rescuers initially made contact with him over the weekend.

Teams carrying flags from across the world cheered as rescuers carried Gil, wearing an oxygen mask on a stretcher covered in an orange tarp, through throngs of people into a Red Cross ambulance.

A group of men in red Costa Rican Red Cross uniforms embraced and laughed in relief, while others broke out into applause.


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-earthquake-survivor-gil-flores-security-guard-ecb4f8db7608e16dd09bcca962a35bc8

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The operation was coordinated by an urban search and rescue team of Chilean firefighters, who worked around the clock with specialized teams from the United States, Portugal and Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Venezuela.

Thank you, rescue workers! You are all heroes.....

[Wild blueberry]

1. Cheers for the rescue workers!!!

Big thank you.

[twodogsbarking]

2. I too wish to thank those working to rescue others. HIs first words after being rescued were "Is he dead yet?"

Not really but they would be mine.

[democrank]

3. The will to survive....

What a story!

[Grim Chieftain]

4. Wonderful, wonderful news!

I hope he has a blessed reunion with his family and friends.

Good to be reminded miracles still happen.