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NewsNBC 6 South FloridaJuly 2, 2026Miami-Dade

Miami Rescue Team Helps Save Survivor Trapped in Venezuela Earthquake

A Miami-based search-and-rescue team played a key role in a multi-national effort to save a security guard trapped for eight days following earthquakes in Venezuela. The team, which included members of Florida Task Force 2, worked for over 53 hours to free the survivor from the rubble of a shopping center.

disaster reliefinternational relationsemergency servicesVenezuelaMiami
Read the full story at NBC 6 South Florida

Why It Matters

Local Miami emergency personnel are currently deployed in Venezuela on a humanitarian mission requested by the U.S. Department of State to assist with ongoing earthquake recovery efforts.

Key Facts

  • A security guard, Hernán Alberto Flores Gil, was rescued after being trapped for eight days under the rubble of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center.
  • The rescue team, including Florida Task Force 2, worked continuously for more than 53 hours to free the survivor.
  • The mission was requested by the U.S. Department of State as part of an international humanitarian effort.
  • The rescue team includes personnel from the United States, Chile, Portugal, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.
  • The Miami-based team is expected to remain in Venezuela for at least two weeks.
  • The rescue operation officially began at 10 a.m. local time on Monday following the June 24 earthquakes.
  • Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team is also deployed in Venezuela using specially trained search dogs.
  • The survivor was kept alive by an air pocket created by his guard booth, which remained standing after the building collapsed.

Who's Mentioned

organizationFlorida Task Force 2“A search-and-rescue team led by the City of Miami Fire Rescue Department.”personEileen Higgins“Miami Mayor who commented on the team's humanitarian mission.”personEric D’Armas“A veteran firefighter from the Miami rescue team.”personHernán Alberto Flores Gil“The security guard rescued from the rubble of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping”organizationTelemundo 51“The news outlet that interviewed Mayor Higgins.”organizationU.S. Department of State“The federal agency that requested the humanitarian mission.”