A powerful doublet of earthquakes struck Venezuela, shaking the country with a magnitude that made them the strongest in over a century. The tremors, occurring just 39 seconds apart, unleashed devastation across the coastal state, killing more than 1,400 people and leaving thousands unaccounted for.
Among those caught in the disaster was Argentine defender Lucas Trejo, who was attending a training camp in Caracas with Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira. When the ground ripped apart, Trejo raced back to his beachfront home in La Guaira, only to find it reduced to rubble. His brother‑in‑law Ricardo Ardiles described the scene as leaving "absolutely nothing" of the family's possessions.
A Community in Mourning
The loss was total: Trejo’s wife Yanina and their two young children, Aarón and Ainhoa, perished beneath the collapsed structure. The tragedy added to a grim tally that already included the deaths of several Venezuelan footballers such as Yimvert Berroteran, Víctor Palacios and Razan Sijaa, as well as the heroic sacrifice of Héctor Bello’s partner, who died protecting her toddler.
Rescue teams worked through the night, but the critical 72‑hour window for finding survivors closed without a miracle. Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira announced the heartbreaking loss, and the wider football community expressed its grief, highlighting the close bonds that tie players, clubs and fans across borders.
The quake’s impact extended beyond the local scene. Tourists from abroad, including eight Chinese nationals and nine Spanish citizens, were among the dead, underscoring the global reach of the disaster. International news outlets such as CNN Español have been covering the unfolding story, while the Venezuelan Football Federation and neighboring clubs have pledged support for the affected families.
As the nation begins the long process of rebuilding, the stories of those lost serve as a reminder of both the fragility of life and the strength of collective mourning. The soccer world, united by grief, hopes that the memory of those who perished will inspire renewed commitment to safety and solidarity.