Sister of Argentine footballer shares gut-wrenching update after wife and 2 children killed in Venezuela earthquake
The sister of the Argentine footballer who lost his wife and children in an earthquake has spoken out after the tragedy.
The wife and children of footballer Lucas Trejo were killed in earthquakes that hit Venezuela last week. The tragedy has left more than 1900 people dead and thousands more injured as rescue efforts continue in the region.
According to his club, the Argentine sportsman's partner, Yanina Maranella, his son, Aarón, and his daughter, Ainhoa, had been staying at their apartment in Playa Grande when two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck the area on Wednesday (24 June).
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Trejo had been in the capital, Caracas, with his Deportivo La Guaira teammates for a league match when disaster struck.
According to his sister, Karen Trejo, Lucas was searching through the rubble himself.
Lucas had been in Caracas training with his club when he learned that their apartment building had collapsed. He immediately left training and rushed to the scene to join the search efforts.
Karen gave an emotional interview with Argentine outlet El Doce, explaining that Lucas has been left devastated by the tragedy and was sedated after learning the news of his family's passing.
“We’ve only spoken to Lucas once in the past few days,” she said. “He didn’t even have his phone because he was removing rubble piece by piece, and we had no way of reaching him.”
Karen explained that much of the family’s information came through a group chat involving Lucas’ teammates and close friends, who were helping coordinate rescue logistics and fundraising efforts to bring relatives to Venezuela. “That same group told us they had found the three bodies,” she said.
She also stressed the urgency of getting family members to Lucas, saying he cannot face the tragedy alone.
Karen explained: “They’re sedating Lucas because he’s in very bad shape,” she shared. "We need them to travel as soon as possible because the bodies are scheduled to be cremated tomorrow, and we need them to be with him,” she continued.
Argentina's soccer team also wrote a tribute to the lost family of one of their star players on their official Instagram page.
"From the #DLG we join the grief that overwhelms player Lucas Trejo, for the sensitive passing of his wife, Yanina Maranella, and of his children, Aarón and Ainhoa Trejo," a media representative penned.
"Peace to their souls and comfort for Lucas and all his loved ones."
Topics: News
Greg Harris