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Venezuelan security guard pulled alive from building basement 8 days after twin quakes
By AP at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC)
· July 2, 2026
· 1 min read
Rescuers pulled a 43-year-old security guard alive from a collapsed basement early Thursday, ending a grueling days-long operation that became a symbol of hope after the devastation of twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela eight days earlier.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The dramatic rescue of a Venezuelan security guard after eight days trapped in a building basement puts into sharp focus the complexities of disaster response and recovery. For Angelenos, this story resonates deeply, given the city's own history of devastating earthquakes and the ongoing efforts to improve emergency preparedness and response. The fact that rescuers were able to locate and extract the guard alive after such a prolonged period is a testament to advances in search and rescue techniques, and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of international cooperation and expertise in disaster response. As Los Angeles continues to refine its own emergency response protocols, the lessons learned from this remarkable rescue operation will undoubtedly be closely studied by local authorities, with a focus on applying these insights to better protect the city's own residents and visitors in the event of a major seismic event.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Rescuers pulled a 43-year-old security guard alive from a collapsed basement early Thursday, ending a grueling days-long operation that became a symbol of hope after the devastation of twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela eight days earlier.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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