[Anchor]

In Venezuela, a man has been miraculously rescued after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building for eight days. Following a lengthy rescue operation, he was pulled out without any major injuries. His wife, who had been waiting desperately for his return, said her husband endured everything like a warrior.

Reporter Son Gijun has the story.

[Reporter]

Cheers erupt as a man is carried on a stretcher through a crowd of rescue workers.

He was immediately placed into a waiting ambulance and transported to a hospital.

Hernan Gil, a 43-year-old security guard, was dramatically rescued eight days after being buried in a building in La Guaira, Venezuela, which was left in ruins by a series of powerful earthquakes.

Hernan, who worked as a security guard at a shopping mall, became trapped on the second basement level when the building collapsed instantly during the earthquake.

Rescue teams first confirmed Hernan was alive at 67 hours after the earthquake, on the afternoon of June 27 (local time).

Hundreds of rescue workers from seven countries, including Chile, the United States, and Costa Rica, were deployed for the operation. Around 8:00 p.m. on June 29 (local time), they confirmed his condition using an endoscopic camera and were able to provide him with water and food.

[Rescue Worker (June 29): Hernan, move your hand again just like you did. Very good. Hernan.]

Afterward, Hernan was able to emerge from the rubble and return to the world outside.

[Gusvimar Gonzalez / Wife of Hernan Gil: I thank God for keeping him alive for days despite not being able to eat or drink. He endured everything like a warrior.]

Although the debris of a seven-story building had collapsed on top of him, it was found that Hernan miraculously sustained no major injuries.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela is approaching 2,300.

As the number of casualties continues to rise, the Venezuelan government has declared a seven-day national mourning period to honor the victims.

(Video Editing: Kim Jun-hee)