Devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday have claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people, including the wife and two children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo, and the wife of former MLB player Gorkys Hernandez.
Trejo, a 38-year-old defender for Venezuelan second-tier club Marítimo (Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira), endured a harrowing 74-hour wait before the tragic news. His wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two children, Aaron and Ainhoa, were found deceased on June 27, according to GiveMeSport and the New York Post.
Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira confirmed the heartbreaking loss in a 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.” Edson Tortolero also shared the news on Instagram, thanking supporters and asking for respect for the family.
The tragedy also struck former Venezuelan baseball player Gorkys Hernandez, whose wife was among the fatalities. Hernandez, who spent time in Major League Baseball, shared his profound grief in an emotional statement. “You were and are the most beautiful woman in my life. You will always be with me, at every hour and in every moment. Fly high, my princess, my queen. May God have you in his glory and guide me to keep going and lift up our family.”
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Widespread devastation and impact on the sports community
The 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes have caused widespread destruction, with almost 70,000 people reported missing by Saturday morning. The disaster is estimated to have affected up to 6.76 million people, including two million in the capital, Caracas.
The Venezuelan sports community has suffered multiple losses beyond Trejo’s family and Hernandez’s wife. Yiimvert Berroteran, an 18-year-old aspiring footballer, was also confirmed as a fatality. Marítimo, Trejo’s club, also mourns the loss of 14-year-old homegrown player Victor Palacios and club staffer Adriana Aranguren.
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