Venezuela earthquake survivor Hernán Gil is 'stable' in hospital
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Hernán Gil, a survivor of Venezuela's June 24 earthquakes, is in stable condition at a hospital after being rescued.
- Gil was trapped for eight days under the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira, the most affected state.
- He was rescued after a nearly 72-hour operation involving international rescuers, and medical evaluations show he is conscious and healthy despite a clavicle dislocation.
Hernán Gil, who survived the devastating double earthquake in Venezuela on June 24, is now in stable condition at a hospital after his dramatic rescue. Gil, 43, was found alive after eight days trapped beneath the collapsed remains of a building in La Guaira, the coastal state hardest hit by the tremors.
His rescue was the culmination of an intensive operation lasting nearly 72 hours. A team of 100 rescuers, including specialists from Chile, the United States, Portugal, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, maintained constant communication with Gil. They provided him with hydration and medication throughout the ordeal. He was found in a security booth located in an underground passage, with approximately 140 tons of debris pressing down on it.
Upon arrival at the Clínica Caracas hospital, medical staff conducted a tomography scan. The results indicated a left clavicle dislocation, minor atelectasis, a left parietal subgaleal hematoma, and mild inflammatory sinusitis. Despite these injuries, hospital personnel reported that Gil was fully conscious and in good health. The official death toll from the earthquakes stands at 2,595, with 12,400 injured.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.