A Venezuelan couple and their four-year-old son were miraculously saved after being trapped for approximately 26 hours beneath the rubble of an eight-story building that collapsed in La Guaira following the June 24 earthquakes.
Throughout their agonizing wait, the family used their phones to document their ordeal, capturing footage that quickly spread across social media, becoming one of the most compelling accounts of the disaster.
Jofran, Oriana, and their son Luciano were on the first floor of the building when it gave way. At the moment of the collapse, Oriana instinctively shielded Luciano with her body. A nearby piece of furniture bore the weight of the fallen ceiling, creating a critical breathing space of just 60 to 70 centimeters that kept them alive beneath the crushing weight of seven floors.
Once rescuers pinpointed their location, it took 10 hours to extricate them from the debris. Luciano was the first to emerge, followed shortly by his parents.
A video of their dramatic rescue, shared by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, captures the emotional moment the family glimpsed daylight and expressed heartfelt gratitude to their rescuers.
“They were trapped inside their home, fortunate that a piece of furniture supported the ceiling, allowing them to breathe. They recorded their desperate wait on their phones until they finally reached safety,” the video reveals.
Sebastián C. Padrón, a relative of the survivors, called for aid on their behalf and noted that both parents are now assisting others affected in La Guaira.
“And they are still searching for my cousin Luisana. They are heroes! They emerged from this nightmare unharmed and are now physically aiding in the search for other survivors,” he shared on Instagram.
This story of survival joins several others that have surfaced amid the devastation.
A mother and her 18-day-old infant were rescued alive after more than 32 hours under the rubble in Catia La Mar. Additionally, a 15-year-old girl was saved by a Salvadoran team after being trapped for three days in the Bahía Mar building.
The two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela on June 24, just 39 seconds apart, marking the strongest recorded in the country since 1900, as per the U.S. Geological Survey.
La Guaira state was declared a disaster zone, with over 100 buildings collapsing and significant damage to the Maiquetía International Airport.
The official toll, updated on Saturday, June 27, reported 1,430 fatalities, over 54,000 missing, and 3,238 injured.
The United Nations estimated up to 50,000 missing and reported a total of 6.76 million people affected. The U.S. Geological Survey suggests a 42% probability that the final death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
Amidst ongoing rescue efforts by 25 teams from 17 countries, a 10-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child were also saved from the wreckage this Sunday.
Understanding the Venezuelan Earthquake Disaster
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24?
The earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 were of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, making them the most powerful quakes in the country since 1900.
How many people were estimated to be affected by the earthquakes?
The United Nations estimated that up to 50,000 people were missing, with a total of 6.76 million affected by the disaster.
How long was the Venezuelan family trapped before being rescued?
The family was trapped for approximately 26 hours under the debris before being rescued by emergency teams.