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Man Rescued Eight Days after Venezuelan Earthquakes; USA Advances After Win Over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 02, 2026 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[09:32:23]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's take you back to Venezuela. This is video from moments ago. Let's watch it together and then we'll talk about it. This is a rescue, a successful rescue eight days after these earthquakes.

(VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: And now we're looking at live pictures together.

What we do know from video we saw previously is crews pulling this man out. We'll give you detail on it in a second. But they were cheering as they were pulling him out. So, one must assume this -- these rescue teams, I believe led by a rescue team from Chile, actually, have been working for days to try to coordinate a safe way to get this man, his name is Hernan Alberto Gil Flores. He's 44 years old. He was a security guard at a mall. As the earthquake hit, he clearly became trapped, what's described as under 29 feet of wreckage from the collapsed shopping mall parking lot.

And this -- and the rescue teams are saying they -- it was a -- obviously a highly complex rescue mission. They were able to make contact, but then, first and foremost, they needed to make sure he was OK. They were able to get in to him food, water, medication. Here's the moment we believe is when they're pulling him out. Let's watch this again together.

(VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Again, we know he has been pulled out. We have confirmation of that. You can see it. We don't yet have information about his condition. We are hoping, based on the fact that there were cheers there, and there seems to be celebration, that he's OK, but we just don't know for sure yet.

And what Kate was talking about, it's just remarkable. Once they did make contact with them, they saw his fingers moving, they were able to get him that food and liquids through hoses and syringes.

BOLDUAN: Yes, syringes I saw. I also see some quotes here from a rescuer asking, are you hurt? [09:35:02]

At one point he says, no, I'm not hurt, I'm just uncomfortable because of the rocks. I mean, to say the least.

But, look, the perspective here is, you see some of these rescue teams, rescue -- rescuers just hugging and embracing. You can only imagine how emotional this is. Eight days after these devastating earthquakes where we saw these buildings just pancake on top of themselves. Thousands of people still missing. A death toll that is also now in the thousands. And then you have these moments of just pure miracle.

BERMAN: And you make a good point, these people have been living in conditions where there are aftershocks almost every day, which, you know, puts new fear through them. They're living in conditions, in some cases, where -- without power, without food, without water there. It's very, very difficult work, very painstaking work, as you said. I mean it's just the level of technical proficiency you need to get to someone trapped underneath layers of rock, it's extraordinary.

BOLDUAN: And to keep the rescuers themselves safe while they're doing it. They were dealing with falling debris, apparently, as they were trying to get to him. And just stay in communication. I mean the stress level around these teams, it's just really a remarkable thing.

BERMAN: Do we have Stefano Pozzebon on the phone with us? All right, Stefano is on the scene.

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I am. Yes. I can hear you.

BERMAN: Good. If we can hear you, Stefano, hopefully we have a strong enough connection. Tell us what you know.

POZZEBON: Yes, we -- well, I mean (INAUDIBLE) as just been taken to hospital, literally less than two minutes ago. And there are scenes of jubilation. You can hear the emotion flowing through -- through these older person involved in the search and rescue operation. You know, the acts (INAUDIBLE) a chance to truly international rescue effort.

I'm seeing right in front of me now a Chilean -- a Chilean rescue worker just hugging and being lifted by an American, a U.S. citizen from Florida. I believe that the American rescue workers here are all from south Florida, from (INAUDIBLE) from Los Angeles. This is a moment where (INAUDIBLE) has been brought together by these remarkable stories of survival with hundreds (INAUDIBLE) working especially (ph) very complex operations to take a man (INAUDIBLE) out from where the devastating earthquake brought him underground, in a parking space. And, I mean, it's just one of these stories that fill you with hope.

I can see right now a south Florida urban search and rescue worker, I can see his teary eyes as I'm speaking to you, John. He's -- yes, there is a lot of emotion. And this is an (INAUDIBLE), John, that Venezuela has been waiting for, for days, (INAUDIBLE) days. I went to (INAUDIBLE) to (INAUDIBLE) he was able to be fed by a hose and received supplements, liquid supplements, electrolytes. And while the rescue workers worked around the clock to try and take him out.

And it really took hundreds of people. It was a very complex operations. But it was a very complex operation. But this is one of the stories that fill your heart amid such a devastating week that this country has gone through.

John.

BOLDUAN: And, Stefano, you said that he was taken directly to the hospital minutes ago. Is there any clue on his condition as they were taking him to the hospital?

POZZEBON: He's clearly affected. He's clearly affected. The case that he is alive. People interviewed say he reached for a couple of (INAUDIBLE). His wife was here as well waiting for him to come out. He was -- he was receiving a restoration, but he, you know, just hadn't been able to move. We could see him -- him moving, trying to lift his arm. He's going to make it out and this is the best and the most possible welcome news.

Kate.

BERMAN: Extraordinary. You could even say miraculous. Eight days after the earthquakes, a man pulled alive from the rubble in Venezuela.

We'll have much more of our coverage right after this.

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[09:43:56]

BOLDUAN: All right, moments ago, absolute jubilation as rescuers in Venezuela pull a man from the rubble of a building eight days after those devastating earthquakes. He is 44 years old. He worked as a mall security guard until the building, the parking garage, collapsed on him and around him. And then he spent the last eight days under 29 feet of rubble.

And there is -- this is video from today. This is video from previously. This is -- they were able to -- one, they locate him. Two, they -- he seems to be in relative good condition. And then they spent days giving him food, supplements, medication, as you can see, through a hose and a syringe that he could finally access as these rescue teams worked to meticulously make a plan to safely free him from the wreckage.

BERMAN: Yes, generally speaking, they say that the length of time you can survive underneath the rubble in an air pocket like this is three days.

[09:45:03]

But, obviously, this was extended because they were able to get him food and calories and liquids through that incredible contraption, the syringe and the hose.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: They were communicating with him the whole time. Even then, though, really an incredibly complicated, delicate operation. Several times over the last eight days, or I guess in this case they located him Sunday, and what's today, Thursday, four days since they've been communicating with him that they've had sort of internal collapses to the rubble falling down on themselves as they've been trying to get to him. So, even though they were talking to him, it wasn't a sure thing that they could reach him.

But now you're seeing these pictures from just moments ago of success. The man on the stretcher there.

Our Stefano Pozzebon, who's not far from the scene, was telling us that he has been taken to the hospital already. That he is, Stefano can report, alive. That he was heard saying things on that stretcher as he went out there. So, just an incredible, incredible scene.

BOLDUAN: And also an example of just the international effort. He said hundreds of people were working around the clock in order to coordinate. He sees teams from Chile. He said he saw a U.S. team on site.

Stefano is there. We're trying to work to reestablish connection. We have more reporters headed there.

But this is one of those moments of just pure joy, jubilation. He said the rescuers themselves were overcome with emotion because, remember, they are in a sea of tragedy and devastation with a death toll that is climbing by the hundreds, it seems, by day, with thousands of people still missing.

So, we're going to continue to gather details on this glimmer of hope amongst this tragedy.

We'll be right back.

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[09:51:26]

BERMAN: I did not sleep much last night, but for a good reason. The U.S. men's national team in the really dramatic, historic victory. Let's put it up. You don't want to see me. You want to see this. Malik Tillman scoring on that kick right there. Just remarkable skill. And what made it all the more spectacular, the U.S. was playing a man down at that point from a really questionable call.

BOLDUAN: Yes, the U.S. team was pissed.

BERMAN: They were mad. And so, Malik Tillman said, take that, refs. Take that, Bosnia. And the U.S. team went on to win 3-0. It was really fantastic.

Here's the red card on Folarin Balogun right there, the U.S. striker. A little harsh, I have to say. How harsh? With us now, former U.S. men's national team member Alecko Eskandarian. He is the VP for Major League Soccer of Sporting Affairs.

He's got a big smile on his face. So, you're happy like the rest of us?

ALECKO ESKANDARIAN, VICE PRESIDENT, MLS SPORTING AFFAIRS: Absolutely.

BERMAN: This was amazing. Just talk about -- let's talk about the good first. How exciting is this?

ESKANDARIAN: So exciting. I mean we're seeing the growth of soccer in this country and all the fans coming together. It's great for the U.S., Canada and Mexico to host this event. But you're seeing a huge influx of passionate fans from around the world coming in and enjoying the beautiful game here on home soil.

BOLDUAN: How about that red card?

ESKANDARIAN: Dodgy call. You know, I -- maybe I'm biased. I'm used to a higher standard of refereeing in the MLS.

BOLDUAN: You are definitely biased. That's OK. We allow that here.

ESKANDARIAN: And -- but, yes, it's really unfortunate because the player has space. He's just trying to get his body in front of the man and the ball. The defender, obviously, tries to lunge and get in front of him. And it's just incidental contact. You could see Balogun's not looking at the player as he steps down. It looks nasty on that replay --

BOLDUAN: Yes.

ESKANDARIAN: But I'm really confused why the VAR only selected that replay to show because it looks a lot worse from behind.

BERMAN: Yes. And again, in real time, it didn't look that bad. Which isn't to say it wasn't a foul.

ESKANDARIAN: For sure.

BERMAN: It was a foul.

ESKANDARIAN: Yellow card even. Yes.

BERMAN: But to get tossed from that game and now to have to miss the next game. How much of a blow is that for -- finally the U.S. has a striker. I mean for those fans of the U.S. men's national team, it's been a long time since we've had a number nine this good. How much of a loss will that be against Belgium?

ESKANDARIAN: It's a massive loss. Flo Balogun has been, you know, the leader on the front lines. He's scored goals. He shows that he has the confidence to take players on, take shots. And, yes, we're going to miss his qualities for sure. But I do think we have some depth in that position. Ricardo Pepi is a guy that has a great scoring record. He came through MLS, at FC Dallas, had a big money transfer, he's playing in Holland, has a great scoring record out in Europe. He hasn't really found his footing yet in this World Cup, but he has a great opportunity to show his quality against Belgium.

BERMAN: It's time. It's time.

BOLDUAN: No time like the present. What do you think makes this men's team special? What do you think it is?

ESKANDARIAN: For me, the job that Coach Pochettino has done, galvanizing the group, changing the culture, bringing everyone together. There was a period in time where our men's national team didn't have many big personalities, weren't very likable. And I think that's changed. And you're seeing guys now embracing their roles, coming together and just working.

BOLDUAN: Some of the things I'm reading about is that this World Cup has stars. Like breakout stars that you have not had in the past. As someone who is now watch -- really watching the World Cup for the first time, is that -- is that true?

ESKANDARIAN: Yes, some --

BOLDUAN: What's the deal?

ESKANDARIAN: Some massive stars. But I think with the U.S., it's team first, right? And so, on any given day you might have a different star. But, yes, for some of the other countries, these guys are mega stars with hundreds of millions of followers on social media.

BERMAN: Yes, and I think what's really been happening is the games biggest players are playing their biggest games. So, you have Messi, your boyfriend, Cristiano Ronaldo --

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: You know, Harry Kane, all -- Kylian Mbappe, all doing crazy, impressive things. And you have an American team that's winning right now, which is super, super exciting.

ESKANDARIAN: Yes.

[09:55:01]

BERMAN: I'm old enough to remember 1994 after the World Cup here when we did advance to the group stage, ultimately lost. But just what a boom it was for soccer in the United States. I do feel there is a boost in enthusiasm in general. What do you think the impact will be?

ESKANDARIAN: It's been phenomenal. I mean when we look at the crowds at these stadiums, I've had the privilege of going to a couple of these matches and it's special. I mean, you can feel it in the air. But even the average fan now is like getting into it, learning the rules, learning the player's names.

BOLDUAN: Yes. ESKANDARIAN: Dating some of the players, apparently.

BOLDUAN: We don't like to talk about it.

ESKANDARIAN: But, yes, it's just been a phenomenal impact for this event and we're hoping it continues and carries on through Major League Soccer.

BOLDUAN: This is clearly critical, J.B. This is from Claire, who is my resident soccer expert. Do the U.S. fans -- are they going to work on their songs and cheers because they're not as good as the Europeans?

ESKANDARIAN: Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I think we need to be better. But some of those Europeans and South American countries, I mean, they've been doing this for 100 years longer than we have.

BERMAN: Yes.

ESKANDARIAN: So, our fans have some ground to make up. But maybe that will be one of the takeaways from this World Cup of improving our fan banter and chants.

BERMAN: OK, five words or less, score prediction for U.S.-Belgium on Monday.

ESKANDARIAN: Two-one USA.

BERMAN: Excellent. Like that. Thank you so much.

BOLDUAN: The only guest we've ever had who stays to time.

It's great to have you.

BERMAN: Great to have you. Thank you so much.

ESKANDARIAN: Cheers. Thank you.

BERMAN: Thank you so much for joining us. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BOLDUAN: "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

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