ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Venezuela earthquake survivor recounts 8 days buried alive

other · 2026-07-06

Hernan Gil, a 43-year-old security guard, survived eight days buried under rubble after a June 24 earthquake in Venezuela. Working his shift in a building basement, he felt two tremors, the second devastatingly strong. He froze in his booth, heard a neighbor mention an earthquake, then everything collapsed. Stones struck his head and eye. Rescued from the collapsed building, he recounted the ordeal from a hospital room, describing darkness, aftershocks, and shifting walls.

Key facts

  • Hernan Gil is a 43-year-old security guard.
  • He was working in the basement of a building in Venezuela.
  • The earthquake occurred on June 24.
  • He felt two tremors, the second being incredibly strong.
  • He heard a neighbor say it was an earthquake before the collapse.
  • Stones hit the back of his head and eye.
  • He was rescued after 8 days buried alive.
  • He recounted his experience from a hospital room.

Entities

Locations

  • Venezuela

Sources