The body of Andrea Bello was found shielding her one-year-old daughter under the rubble of their collapsed home – a discovery that has left her husband, Marítimo de La Guaira footballer Héctor Bello, grappling with an impossible question. “How do I explain to your daughter that you lost your life to save hers, and that I wasn’t there to do anything?” he wrote on Instagram. “Give me strength now.”
The two earthquakes – magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, 39 seconds apart and the strongest since 1900 according to the US Geological Survey – struck near the capital Caracas on Wednesday. The coastal region of La Guaira has been declared a disaster zone and militarised. At least 920 people are dead, more than 3,000 injured, and around 50,000 remain missing. More than 8,000 have been found alive.
“Footballer's wife dies shielding toddler in Venezuela earthquakes as death toll nears 1,000 and UK rescue team arrives.”
Bello’s wife Andrea, named by Venezuelan news outlets, died saving their toddler Alana. In a series of Instagram posts, Bello wrote: “I’ll 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 abandoned her, even as you took your last breaths.” Alana and her aunt are still in hospital but doing well.
As families search desperately, a British search and rescue team of 68 personnel from fire brigades across the country left RAF Brize Norton on Friday, accompanied by six specialist search dogs and humanitarian staff. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week’s devastating earthquakes.” King Charles said he and the Queen “send our profound sympathy” to those impacted.
Teams from the UK, US and neighbouring countries are concentrating rescue efforts in La Guaira, the worst-hit area. The earthquakes come amid political upheaval: former president Nicolas Maduro was arrested by the US six months ago. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said government forces distributed food and water to survivors.
Two football players were among the dead. Caracas Fútbol Club said under-18s player Razan Sijaa had been killed alongside family members at their home in La Guaira. Victor Palacios left an “indelible mark” on Club Sport San Agustín’s academy, the club wrote. Pope Leo sent an initial €100,000 emergency donation, and US President Donald Trump said “the U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!”
Bello, posting updates on his daughter and tributes to his wife, wrote: “You’ll always be our favourite hero, Mummy. I’m going to make sure our baby remembers how wonderful you were.”