[Anchor]

Miraculous news of a rescue has emerged from the earthquake site in Venezuela. The security guard who had survived for eight days trapped under building debris, whom we reported on at this time yesterday, July 2, has finally been rescued safely. A 70-hour struggle ensued from the moment his survival was confirmed until the final rescue.

Kim Minpyo reports.

[Reporter]

Cheers erupt at the rescue site amidst the ruins, and rescue workers from various countries embrace one another.

This was the moment Hernan, who had been trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building, returned alive eight days after the earthquake struck.

Hernan, a security guard at a shopping center, was trapped in a security booth on the second basement level when the eight-story building collapsed. Fortunately, because the booth maintained some of its structure, he was able to secure enough space to move and air to breathe.

[Rescue Worker (Local time, June 27): Now, listen to me.]

[Rescue Worker: Try moving your hand again, just like you did before.]

It took 70 hours from the moment his survival was confirmed until he was finally rescued.

During the process of excavating a tunnel nine meters down through the debris, which was stacked like layers of rice cakes, dangerous situations occurred several times as aftershocks caused the tunnel to collapse.

The rescue team rebuilt the tunnel and provided water and medical IV fluids while monitoring Hernan’s condition with a camera.

Just before the rescue, they encouraged him to draw pictures and kept talking to him to help him stay calm.

[Rescue Worker: The building debris is shifting, so make sure to wear protective goggles.]

Thanks to the combined efforts of rescue teams from seven countries, Hernan became the protagonist of a miracle.

[Ezequiel Gallardo/Chilean Rescue Worker: It was a very complex rescue operation. It was probably the most difficult rescue in the history of the Chilean rescue team.]

[Gusvimar Gonzalez/Wife of survivor Hernan: Even though so many days passed without him being able to eat, my husband overcame it all like a warrior.]

The official death toll is approaching 2,600, and international aid organizations have criticized the Venezuelan government's response, citing delays in the distribution of relief supplies and a shortage of heavy equipment to clear the debris.

Reported by Kim Minpyo | Video by Lee Seung-yeol