Deisy Maria Tovar De Hernandez, the wife of former Major League Baseball outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, was among those killed in the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week. Hernandez announced the death of his wife in an Instagram post on Saturday.
Deisy Tovar De Hernandez was reportedly at the Hotel Eduards in La Guaira, Venezuela, with family members of players from the La Guaira Delfines baseball team when the earthquakes hit. The team was preparing for a game against the Aragua Tigres in a Mexican baseball league contest. Hernandez and his teammates returned to the hotel after the game was suspended.
Venezuela experienced two large earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, which caused widespread destruction. Initial reports indicated over 1,400 deaths and tens of thousands missing, though figures may evolve as rescue efforts continue. Rescue workers and volunteers have been working to find survivors in the rubble.
Gorkys Hernandez played seven seasons in MLB for teams including the Boston Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants.
Humanitarian aid efforts are underway, with volunteers collecting and packing supplies. US military forces from Southern Command, including search and rescue teams, have also been deployed to assist with critical aid on the ground.