Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo's wife and two children have been confirmed dead in Venezuela following devastating back-to-back earthquakes that have killed approximately 1,500 people. The tragedy was announced by Venezuelan football club Sport Maritimo de La Guaira and a close friend of Trejo.
Family Found After 74-Hour Search
Trejo's wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two young children, Aaron and Ainhoa Trejo, were in Playa Grande when the earthquakes struck, causing their apartment building to collapse. Trejo launched a desperate search that lasted 74 hours before the bodies were discovered.
Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira issued an official statement: "Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira deeply mourns the loss suffered by Lucas Trejo's family; we ask for respect for his relatives and teammates. After a 74-hour search, they were found deceased."
Friend Confirms Heartbreaking News
Former Venezuela international Edson Tortolero, a close friend of Trejo, shared the devastating news on Instagram. He wrote: "We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo's family members have been found lifeless. We thank everyone for the support and ask for the most sincere respect for his family at this time. WE PRAY FOR ETERNAL LIFE FOR THEM."
Trejo has not spoken publicly about the loss but shared a photograph of the four of them on his Instagram Stories without any caption. Argentine media reported that Trejo's father and brother had traveled to Venezuela to assist in the search.
Widespread Destruction and Casualties
At least 69,000 people have been reported missing since the earthquakes struck on Wednesday, June 24. La Guaira, a region north of the capital, bore the brunt of the destruction. Among other victims are Venezuelan footballer Yiimvert Berroteran, 18, and Daisy, the wife of former Major League Baseball player Gorkys Hernandez.
Defender Héctor Bello, who plays for second division club Marítimo de La Guaira, also lost his wife, Andrea, when their building collapsed. Andrea died protecting their one-year-old daughter, using her own body to shield the baby.
