Rescuers pulled a 43-year-old security guard alive from a collapsed basement early on Thursday, ending a gruelling operation that became a symbol of hope after the devastation of twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela eight days earlier.
Hernán Alberto Gil Flores emerged to safety covered in dust atop a stretcher surrounded by helmet-clad rescue workers after being trapped since 24 June under rubble in the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping centre in the coastal town in La Guaira.
Rescuers, who initially made contact with Gil Flores over the weekend, worked more than 100 hours to free him, navigating a highly unstable structure, torrential rain and persistent aftershocks to tunnel down to the survivor.
Teams carrying flags from around the world cheered as rescuers carried Gil Flores, wearing an oxygen mask and covered in an orange tarp, through throngs of people to an ambulance where they checked his vital signs.
One Chilean rescuer carrying his stretcher pumped his fist in joy. A group of men in red Costa Rican Red Cross uniforms embraced and laughed in relief. Others broke out into applause.
