Venezuela quake survivor 'reborn' after 8 days in rubble

Hernan Gil, a security guard, has emerged as a symbol of hope after surviving eight days buried alive following twin earthquakes that devastated northern Venezuela. Gil was working his shift in the basement of a building on June 24 when the first tremor struck. He described the initial shake as brief, but the second, much stronger tremor, caused the building to collapse around him.

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The second one was incredibly strong.

"The second one was incredibly strong," Gil recounted from his hospital room. He remembers freezing in his security booth as the earth shook, followed by the terrifying sound of everything collapsing. He lost consciousness momentarily and awoke to complete darkness, with no way to contact a neighbor he had last seen before the building fell. "At that moment, despair overwhelmed me," he admitted, beginning to shout for help, but receiving no response.

Trapped in an uncomfortable, partially immobile position, Gil endured aftershock after aftershock, feeling as though the walls were crushing him. Despite the physical trauma, including a bleeding nose and a swollen eye, his faith sustained him. "I prayed a lot. I cried out to God, and I said, 'My God, why me? Why like this? Please, at least let me see my children.'" he shared. During the lonely hours, he was filled with memories of his wife, Gusbimar Gonzalez, his children, and his deceased father.

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At that moment, despair overwhelmed me.

After losing track of time, Gil heard faint footsteps on what he believes was the third day. He began shouting again, and this time, he heard a response. Rescuers, including teams from Chile and the US, eventually reached him after more than three days of complex operations. Despite the harrowing experience, Gil appeared to be in good spirits, describing himself as "reborn" after his miraculous rescue.

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I prayed a lot. I cried out to God, and I said, 'My God, why me? Why like this? Please, at least let me see my children.'