Argentinian footballer's wife and two children have died in earthquake as club issue statement

Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo lost his wife and his two young children in the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week.

The 38-year-old had been desperately searching for his wife, Yanina Maranella, and their children, Aaron and Ainhoa, after the apartment building where they were staying collapsed during the twin earthquakes that hit the country on Wednesday.

The latest official figures put the death toll at roughly 1,430, while a further 50,000 people are still believed to be missing according to the United Nations.

Trejo was away in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for a league match with his club Deportivo La Guaira when the two earthquakes occurred in midweek. It is understood that his brother and father both flew to Playa Grande to help with the search efforts.

"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," the defender posted on Instagram before the tragic discovery of his family in the aftermath.

Reports in Venezuela shared the awful news on Saturday when rescuers recovered the bodies of his family. Only hours earlier, Trejo shared a photograph of himself with his family on social media as hope remained that they would still be found alive.

In a club statement released on social media in the early hours of Sunday morning, Deportivo La Guaira, confirmed the tragic news of their deaths.

"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.

The awful news was also shared by former Venezuelan player Edson Tortolero, who wrote on social media: “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.”

It is estimated that as many as 6.76 million people may have been impacted by the disaster after twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, caused widespread destruction across the nation.