The wife and children of Argentine soccer player Lucas Trejo were found dead following a harrowing 74-hour search after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela. The country was hit by 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude tremors on Wednesday, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 1,430 people.
Yanina Maranella, Trejo's wife, and their children, Aarón and Ainhoa, are among the confirmed fatalities, according to family friend Edson Tortolero. Tortolero announced the discovery on Instagram, stating, "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 and the lengthy search for his family. "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 a significant portion of his playing career in Venezuela. Reports from Argentina indicate that his father and brother traveled to Venezuela to assist in the search for Yanina, Aarón, and Ainhoa.
In April, Trejo posted a birthday message to his wife on Instagram, calling her "my love" and a "blessing for us as a family." He shared a photo of his family on his Instagram story on Saturday.
Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira has also mourned other losses in the wake of the earthquakes. The club announced the passing of 14-year-old player Victor Palacios, a homegrown talent, and club staffer Adriana Aranguren. Search operations are ongoing, with at least 68,900 people reported missing as a result of the earthquakes.