sports
Earthquakes kill at least 1,450 in Venezuela; two footballers lose family members
Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela last Wednesday. Family members of two professional footballers were among the victims. Rescue teams continued operations after the 72-hour survival window closed.
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Twin earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela last Wednesday, killing at least 1,450 people. The quakes were the strongest recorded in the country since 1900. Lucas Trejo, an Argentinian player for Club Sport Marítimo, lost his wife Yanina and children Aaron and Ainhoa when their home in La Guaira collapsed.
He had been training in Caracas and returned to search the rubble for three days until rescue workers recovered the bodies. Another Club Sport Marítimo player, Héctor Bello, lost his wife Andrea, who died shielding their infant daughter Alana. The child was later found and is reported in stable condition with her aunt.
Additional deaths Venezuelan football officials stated that youth players Victor Palacios and Razan Sijaa also died. Palacios played for Club Sport San Augustín’s academy. Sijaa played for Caracas Fútbol Club and was killed with his family in La Guaira.
The 72-hour period with the highest probability of finding survivors ended on Saturday. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the death toll could reach 10,000.
