Security guard rescued alive eight days after Venezuela earthquakes that killed 2,300

A security guard was rescued alive from nine metres of rubble in the basement of a collapsed multi-storey car park in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, eight days after twin earthquakes struck the country on 24 June. Hernán Gil, in his 40s, had been on duty inside a small concrete booth when the structure adjacent to the Galerias Playa Grande mall collapsed.

The booth shielded him from 140 tonnes of debris.

Rescue teams from Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal and the United States located him on Saturday after he answered calls while slabs were being removed. Approximately 350 rescuers maintained continuous operations for more than 100 hours. Access ducts built to reach him collapsed repeatedly.

Overnight, teams inserted a small camera and established visual contact. A Chilean firefighter directed Gil to turn his head, wear a face mask passed through a small hole, and put on goggles. Physical contact was achieved at approximately 22:00 local time the previous night.

Ricardo Arias of the Costa Rican Red Cross said Gil is in stable condition, has received water and an intravenous drip, and reported no crushed nails. Marco Antonio Franco of the Mexican Red Cross described Gil as cheerful and said he requested specific-flavour hydration drinks, which were supplied.

Wagner Leiva of the Costa Rican Red Cross said the initial detection occurred while slabs were being cleared in the basement.

Allan Madrigal, a paramedic with the Costa Rican Red Cross, heard Gil's faint cries for help on Sunday. Rescuers hope to free Gil within the next 24 hours. Almost 2,300 people are confirmed to have died in the quakes, and tens of thousands remain missing.