The wife and children of Argentine soccer player Lucas Trejo have been found dead amid the devastating double earthquakes in Venezuela.
The country was hit by 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes on Wednesday, with a reported death toll of at least 1,430 people.
And according to family friend Edson Tortolero, Trejo’s wife, Yanina Maranella, and children, Aarón and Ainhoa, are among those who tragically died in the disaster.
Tortolero, a soccer player himself, wrote on Instagram (originally in Spanish): “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’s club, Venezuelan side Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, also confirmed the deaths in a statement and said that there had been a 74-hour search for his wife and children.
“Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira deeply mourns the loss suffered by Lucas Trejo’s family. We ask for respect for his relatives and teammates,” a statement read. “After a 74-hour search, they were found deceased.”
Trejo, 38, joined Maritimo earlier this year and has spent much of his playing career in Venezuela.
His father and brother, according to reports in Argentina, had travelled to Venezuela to help him in the agonizing search for Yanina, Aarón and Ainhoa. The defender posted a sweet picture of his family to his Instagram story on Saturday, and wished her a happy birthday with a post in April.
“Happy birthday my love!!!,” he wrote. “May God richly bless your life and continue to fulfill the desires of your heart.
“It is a blessing for us as a family to have you and to move forward in the purpose we have together! With you everything is easier and more beautiful always.”
Tragically, Maritimo has been rocked by other losses as well.
The club mourned the passing of 14-year-old player Victor Palacios, who was a homegrown player for them.
Maritimo also announced the passing of club staffer Adriana Aranguren.
At least 68,900 people have been reported missing as a result of the earthquakes as search operations continue.
