Authorities in Venezuela confirm that more than 1,400 people have died and thousands remain missing after two earthquakes struck the country last week.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the disaster as a doublet event with the tremors occurring just 39 seconds apart. The resulting structural damage is the most severe the nation has experienced in over a century.
Search and rescue operations have now passed the 72-hour mark. This timeframe is widely considered the critical window for finding survivors without a water source. While studies show rescues can happen up to six days later the chances of survival decrease rapidly.
The casualty list includes citizens from other countries. Chinese state media reported eight of its nationals died in the quakes. The Spanish foreign ministry confirmed nine fatalities and stated that over 100 Spanish citizens are missing.
Football federation confirms casualties
The disaster has heavily affected the domestic sports sector. The Venezuelan Football Federation announced the deaths of several young players.
Yimvert Berroteran was among the victims. The 18-year-old recently represented the national team at the Under-17 World Cup in Doha.
Clubs also confirmed the deaths of youth players Victor Palacios and Razan Sijaa. Relatives of active players have also been caught in the destruction. Footballer Hector Bello announced on social media that his partner died while successfully protecting their toddler from falling debris.
Search ends for family of Lucas Trejo
In La Guaira the search for the family of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo concluded over the weekend. The 38-year-old Club Sport Marítimo La Guaira player lost his wife Yanina and their two children Aaron and Ainhoa.
Trejo was attending a training camp in Caracas when the earthquakes began and travelled 18 miles north to his home. His brother-in-law Ricardo Ardiles told CNN Español that the residential building was completely destroyed.
Trejo spent three days searching the site. Fellow players including Robert Garces of Metropolitanos F.C. used social media to request heavy machinery for the excavation efforts. Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira issued a statement on Sunday mourning the deaths of the three family members and offering support to the player.
