THE APEX TIMES
Hernan Gil Flores is believed to still be inside the security booth of a building’s underground parking garage after a quake, as rescuers work to reach him and his wife says they have been able to make contact and provide water.
Rescuers in Venezuela were working through the night to reach a security guard believed to be trapped under a building, where he is thought to still be inside a small security booth in the underground parking garage. CBS News reported that the man, identified as Hernan Gil Flores, remained in that position as emergency crews carried out a fast, physical rescue operation focused on getting to the booth before conditions worsen.
According to Flores’s wife, rescuers have been able to make contact with him and deliver water. She said the communication and supply of water offered proof of life while rescuers continue searching for a viable route to extract him, CBS News reported. The report described the effort as urgent and ongoing, with teams continuing to try to overcome debris and access constraints in the confined underground space.
The incident comes in the context of earthquakes in Venezuela, which can leave buildings damaged and restrict entry to affected areas. In underground parking garages, rescue teams often face additional barriers, including collapsed structures, restricted visibility, unstable surfaces, and limited space for equipment and personnel to operate safely.
CBS News reported that rescuers were racing against time, with crews attempting to maintain contact and manage the situation inside the damaged area. The wife’s account indicated that even with the inability to immediately reach him, responders were able to communicate with Flores closely enough to provide basic supplies, suggesting his location was at least partially identifiable.
While rescue teams continue their work, the report did not specify the exact building address, the quake’s magnitude, or the precise time Flores became trapped. Those details were not included in the CBS News report, and no additional confirming information was available in the materials provided for this draft.
What happens next depends on whether rescuers can secure the surrounding structure and create a safe pathway into the garage booth. If access is possible, crews would move from contact and basic resupply to extraction and medical evaluation at the scene. If the area remains unstable, responders may need to adjust their approach to prioritize safety for both the trapped person and the rescue personnel.
The case highlights the practical challenge of rescues in partially accessible underground spaces, where responders must balance speed with engineering controls and careful planning. For families, the ability to confirm life and provide water can be crucial while waiting for a final extraction, the wife’s comments described in the report underscoring the human stakes of those minutes and hours.