Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude have caused widespread devastation across several areas of Venezuela and a high number of casualties, which is expected to rise as the hours pass. There is growing concern about the condition of many people in regions such as La Guaira, one of the hardest hit by the building collapses triggered by the quakes.
According to Venezuelan outlet Diamante 23, the luxury Eduard’s Hotel was hosting staff and relatives of the teams Guerreros de Lara (Liga Mayor) and Delfines de La Guaira, as well as family members of former players Gorkys Hernández and Eliezer Alfonzo. Other reports add that baseball player Jenrry Mejía, who was at the hotel, managed to survive.
Videos circulating on social media show players gathered outside the hotel, which completely collapsed and turned into a deadly trap, waiting for news about their loved ones—some of whom are already feared dead.
Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo, of Marítimo La Guaira, has also been affected and has asked for help locating his family. “Please help. I don’t know anything about my family—please pray for them. I want to believe they weren’t there,” he wrote on social media.
The force of the two earthquakes, which struck almost back-to-back, combined with the age of many buildings, has caused severe structural damage across the country. It is feared that thousands of people could be trapped under the rubble.
The official toll currently stands at 32 dead and more than 700 injured, according to Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez, though this is only a preliminary count.
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