A 44‑year‑old man was rescued after being buried beneath approximately 140 tonnes of rubble following the collapse of a shopping‑mall parking structure in La Guaira, Venezuela.
The rescue came roughly 100 hours after emergency crews first located him, eight days after twin earthquakes struck the country on June 24, an event that has claimed around 2,300 lives and left tens of thousands missing.
A Chilean firefighter involved in the operation described it as the most complex and technically demanding rescue he has ever undertaken.
The survivor’s wife expressed profound relief, saying she had endured days of sorrow fearing for his life until she learned he was alive, which she likened to a ray of sunshine.
The man, a security guard at the mall, was spotted when a search camera was inserted into the collapsed basement, capturing his fingers waving through a narrow gap in the concrete.
Rescuers established contact and supplied food, water, and medication through a hose and syringe, while footage showed his head and shoulders emerging from the debris, wearing a mask and a bloodshot eye.
Protective goggles were provided as rescuers continued to clear the surrounding rubble, and he was reported to be in stable condition with no major injuries.
He remained upbeat, requesting specific flavored hydration drinks, encouraging the rescue team, and recognizing members of the crew as they worked.
The concrete booth where he was stationed acted as a protective shell, shielding him from the collapse that engulfed the rest of the structure.
The earthquakes have left Venezuela in mourning, with ongoing searches for additional survivors amid the extensive devastation.
