Argentine soccer star Lucas Trejo's wife and two children have been found dead in Venezuela after a 74-hour search following a devastating earthquake that killed over 1,400 people.
Discovery After 74-Hour Search
Rescue crews recovered the bodies of Trejo's wife, Yanina Maranella, and their children, Aaron and Ainhoa, from the rubble of their apartment building that collapsed last Wednesday. The building was located in Playa Grande, an area north of the capital Caracas that was heavily impacted by the natural disaster.
The 38-year-old player was in Caracas with his soccer team when two back-to-back earthquakes struck the northern coast of Venezuela. Upon learning of the collapse, he immediately traveled to the disaster zone to join the search.
Player's Social Media Plea
During the early hours of the search, Trejo posted on Instagram: "Our building in Playa Grande collapsed. I don't know anything about my family." He added: "Please pray for them and share this message in case someone saw them. I want to believe they weren't there."
It is understood that his father and brother had traveled to Venezuela to help him search for his family, alongside firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers.
Club Confirms Deaths
Trejo's club, Venezuelan side Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, confirmed the deaths in a statement on Sunday night. "Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira deeply mourns the loss suffered by Lucas Trejo's family. We ask for respect for his relatives and teammates," a statement read. "After a 74-hour search, they were found deceased," the club said.
Recent Move to Venezuela
Trejo moved to Venezuela with his family in February to play for the Venezuelan soccer club. In April, he shared a sweet picture of himself with his wife Yanina and their children, celebrating his wife's birthday. The post was captioned: "Happy birthday my love!!! May God richly bless your life and continue to fulfil the desires of your heart."
Worst Earthquake in a Century
The earthquakes are being described as Venezuela's worst in a century, with over 1,400 killed and around 50,000 still missing. The scale of destruction has overwhelmed local authorities and prompted international rescue and relief efforts, as survivors face homelessness and limited resources.
