Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo has lost his wife and two young children in the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.

Reports noted that the 38-year-old Deportivo La Guaira player had been searching for his wife and children since the two earthquakes, which occurred within 39 seconds of each other, destroyed the apartment they were living in.  

“Our building in Playa Grande collapsed. I don’t know anything about my family. Please pray for them and share this message in case someone saw them. I want to believe they weren’t there,” Trejo had posted on Instagram as he desperately called for help. 

However, Trejo’s wife Yanina Maranella and children, Aaron and Ainhoa, have been confirmed dead in a statement issued by Deportivo La Guaira in the early morning of Sunday.

“We join Lucas Trejo in mourning the tragic passing of his wife, Yanina Maranella, and his children, Aaron and Ainhoa Trejo. Peace to their souls and comfort for Lucas and all his loved ones,” the club said.

A former Venezuelan player Edson Tortolero later disclosed in a social media post that the bodies of the three victims were found lifeless. 

“We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo’s family members have been found lifeless. We thank everyone for the support and ask for the most sincere respect for his family at this time. We pray for eternal life for them,” Tortolero wrote. 

About 1,450 people have reportedly been claimed by the tragedy. Over 3,000 are believed to be injured while more than 50,000 people are still missing, prompting a multinational rescue operation. 

The United States of America, India, Colombia, Italy, Germany, France amongst others are some of the countries that have stepped up humanitarian efforts in the South American nation.