Venezuela earthquake claims Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo's wife and two children

Amid the devastation of Venezuela's deadly earthquake, Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo has suffered the biggest tragedy of his life. After 74 hours of desperate searching, the bodies of his wife and two children were recovered from the rubble.

The 38-year-old Argentine defender currently plays for Venezuelan club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira. On June 24, when two powerful earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela's northern coast, he was in Caracas on team duty. The earthquakes caused massive loss of life and destruction.

Shortly after the quake, Trejo learned that their residential building in Playa Grande, La Guaira, had completely collapsed. He rushed to the affected area and joined rescue workers in searching for his family. His father and brother later arrived from Argentina to assist in the search.

After 74 hours of searching, rescue workers recovered the bodies of his wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two children, Aaron and Ainhoa from the rubble. The club and teammates have confirmed the tragic news and expressed condolences.

While his family was still missing, Trejo had posted an emotional message on Instagram: "Our building in Playa Grande has collapsed. I have no news of my family. Please pray for them. If anyone has seen them, please let me know. I still want to believe they were outside the building at the time."

The heartbreaking news has cast a pall of grief over football circles in Venezuela and Argentina. Many footballers, clubs and fans have expressed condolences on social media.