A mother in Venezuela has died saving her daughter during an earthquake that hit the country, according to footballer Hector Bell and local media.
Bello wrote on Instagram that “his precious love,” whom Venezuelan media called his wife, Andrea, saved their child’s life during two powerful earthquakes.
“I will tell her the story of how you saved her, my love – how you gave your own life for our daughter, how you were a brave woman who never left her side, even when you breathed your last,” Bello wrote in the post.
Rescuers continue to search the ruins for survivors after two earthquakes near the capital Caracas killed at least 589 people and injured 2,980.
In a series of posts, Bello wrote that he traveled to Caracas, where his daughter was in the hospital.
“My daughter and her aunt are fine; they will not be released from the hospital today – they are staying there.”
“Thank you so much for supporting me in such great pain,” he wrote.
In a separate post on his Instagram story, Bello wrote:
“How do I explain to your daughter that you lost your life saving hers and I wasn’t there to do anything? How do I explain that? Give me strength now.”
The organization also reported the death “Cumaná de Campeones”which follows soccer and soccer players from that part of Venezuela.
“We regret to announce that the partner of footballer Hector Bel ‘Kike’ – a native of Cumana – has been found dead in the rubble after the earthquake that hit the country.”
“Their daughter, however, survived the collapse of the building where the whole family lived.”
The news about the death of Bell’s wife was also reported by the American media in the Spanish language Univision.
The number of victims of the earthquake is increasing, some have been identified, and many are missing.
Two teenage soccer players were among the dead, according to a statement from their clubs and the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF).
Caracas Football Club announced that its under-18 player, Razan Siya, died along with family members at their home in La Guaira.
“His joy, dedication and camaraderie will accompany us every step of the way,” reads the post on social networks.
Victor Palacios has left an “indelible mark” on the Club Sport San Agustin academy, the Caracas club announced on Instagram.
“There are not enough words to express the pain we feel at his death,” it added.
Also reporting his death, the FVF said he played for Maritimo de La Guaira.
Giselle Reyes, a former Miss Venezuela, said her mother died after the building in La Guaira was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
Reyes said her mother, whom she did not name, died of a heart attack caused by the shock and effects of the earthquake.
The news was shared by a nurse who cared for her and she survived.
Among the dead are four Spanish citizens, while 106 are still missing, Madrid media reported, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs there.
One Portuguese and two Brazilian nationals were killed, their governments confirmed.
Portuguese President Antonio José Seguro sent a “message of solidarity” to the Venezuelan people.
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