Hernán Gil was the last of 14 people saved by international rescuers

Security guard Hernán Gil was the final survivor pulled from the rubble, marking the conclusion of international rescue efforts in Venezuela. Gil was rescued on July 2, eight days after a devastating earthquake struck the country on June 24, trapping him beneath debris.

International teams, including those from the United Nations for Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), have now begun their withdrawal from Venezuela. These specialized units focused on extracting individuals trapped deep within collapsed structures, a task requiring significant expertise and advanced equipment. According to Sebastián Mocarquer of UNDAC, the international teams were responsible for rescuing 14 people in total.

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The large number of rescues were carried out in the first hours, in the first days by the community itself, as a local response. The international teams focus, due to their specialization and equipment, on extracting people trapped deep between the rubble. Experience and a lot of technology are required.

The Venezuelan government has reported that over 6,400 individuals have been rescued since the initial hours following the earthquake. The disaster has officially claimed at least 2,954 lives, with the most affected region being La Guaira state. Mocarquer noted that while the majority of rescues occurred in the initial days by local communities, international teams were crucial for reaching those buried deepest.

As rescue operations wind down, the focus is shifting towards the recovery of bodies. Mocarquer explained that teams arriving later, particularly from Latin America, continue to work in areas where there are reports of survivors, but many are now collaborating with local teams on body recovery. Approximately 25 international teams remain in the country but are in the process of demobilization or departure.

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From the seventh day, the teams begin to demobilize, although there are still teams that arrived later and continue, especially from Latin America. They continue working in areas where there are reports of life, but most are working with local teams in the recovery of bodies.