Family of Argentine Footballer Lucas Trejo Found Dead Following Venezuela Earthquakes
The wife and two children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo have been found dead following powerful earthquakes in Venezuela. The victims, identified by Deportivo La Guaira as Yanina Maranella and children Aarón and Ainhoa Trejo, were located after being missing since a building collapse in the Playa Grande area.
Who were the victims of the Playa Grande building collapse?
Deportivo La Guaira confirmed the deaths of Yanina Maranella, the wife of defender Lucas Trejo, and their two children, Aarón and Ainhoa Trejo. The club issued an official statement expressing condolences to the footballer and his family following the discovery of their bodies.
The family had been missing since the seismic activity caused a building in the Playa Grande zone to collapse. Trejo, a 38-year-old Córdoba-born defender who plays for Marítimo de La Guaira, had been searching for them since the initial disaster.
Lucas Trejo has spent much of his professional career playing outside of Argentina, including his current tenure in Venezuela with Marítimo de La Guaira.
How was the news of the deaths confirmed?
The first confirmation of the tragedy came via social media from Venezuelan footballer Edson Tortolero. In an Instagram story, Tortolero informed followers in both Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Trejo’s family members had been found.
Tortolero, who participated in the search efforts, used his platform to thank the various groups that assisted in the rescue attempts. These included:
- Local rescuers and civilians
- The Venezuelan Football Federation
- Players and teammates
The news was subsequently validated by other professionals involved in the search, including Robert Garcés of Metropolitanos and José Correa of Deportivo La Guaira. The club’s official communiqué provided the formal confirmation of the names of the deceased.
What caused the destruction in the La Guaira region?
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with the epicenter located in the city of Morón, in the state of Carabobo. While the epicenter was not in La Guaira, the region suffered significant damage due to the intensity of the tremors.
The seismic events caused structural failures in several buildings, including the residence of the Trejo family in Playa Grande. Ricardo Ardiles, the brother-in-law of Yanina Maranella, told Cadena 3 that the destruction was absolute. According to Ardiles, the building where the family lived “no longer exists.”
How did the football community respond to the search?
Professional athletes joined local residents in the debris to locate the missing family members. A video shared by Robert Garcés showed players, including Tortolero and Correa, working among the rubble to assist in search and rescue operations.
The search was complicated by severe infrastructure damage. Ricardo Ardiles reported to Cadena 3 that rescuers faced significant hurdles due to a total lack of electricity and telephone signals in the affected areas. This lack of communication initially led to a period of uncertainty regarding the family’s whereabouts.
Comparison of Early Reports and Final Confirmation
The timeline of the tragedy shows a shift from cautious hope to confirmed loss. On Friday, Ricardo Ardiles expressed hope to Cadena 3 that the family might have been moved to a hospital, citing the difficulty of establishing contact. However, the official statement from Deportivo La Guaira on Saturday night provided the final, definitive confirmation of the fatalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lucas Trejo?
Lucas Trejo is a 38-year-old Argentine professional footballer from Córdoba. He currently plays as a defender for the club Marítimo de La Guaira in Venezuela.
Where did the earthquakes occur?
The earthquakes had an epicenter in Morón, Carabobo, but caused heavy damage and building collapses in the La Guaira region, specifically in Playa Grande.
How was the family found?
The family was located following search efforts conducted by local rescuers, civilians, and professional football players including Edson Tortolero and Robert Garcés.
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