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Venezuelan man mourns family lost in devastating earthquakes
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuelan man mourns family lost in devastating earthquakes

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • A Venezuelan man mourned the loss of his mother, wife, two daughters, and nephew in devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24.
  • The victims were among at least 2,645 killed and 12,666 injured by the powerful tremors.
  • The man expressed gratitude for the support of loved ones and his faith, which he says helps him cope with the immense grief.

In Catia La Mar, Venezuela, Leonardo Suárez said goodbye to his mother, wife, two daughters, and nephew, all victims of the devastating earthquakes on June 24. The tremors left at least 2,645 dead and 12,666 injured.

I am a person going through a terrible time, but thanks to the love of the people who have supported me, of the people around me, I remain firm.

— Leonardo SuárezSuárez expressed his gratitude for the support he has received amidst his grief.

Suárez honored his cremated family members at a funeral ceremony, recalling their joy and the support they offered through good and bad times. About forty people, including his wife's relatives, gathered to support him. Portraits of the six deceased were displayed near the urns containing their ashes, placed where Suárez's mother managed a family kiosk on the beach.

"I am a person going through a terrible time, but thanks to the love of the people who have supported me, of the people around me, I remain firm," Suárez told EFE, holding onto his two remaining children. He also credits his faith, stating, "Before my wife died, I spoke with her, I got her out alive, she told me she was going to the kingdom of heaven and I carry that in my heart. I know she and my family are going to the kingdom of heaven and only God and the love of my family keep me standing."

Before my wife died, I spoke with her, I got her out alive, she told me she was going to the kingdom of heaven and I carry that in my heart. I know she and my family are going to the kingdom of heaven and only God and the love of my family keep me standing.

— Leonardo SuárezSuárez spoke about his faith and his wife's last words, which provide him strength.

On the day of the earthquakes, June 24, Suárez was celebrating his 29th birthday. He was at a barber shop when the twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck. Returning home, he found his building collapsed. Suárez believes divine intervention guided him through the rubble to his wife, Kimberling, who was still alive and offered him words of encouragement. "Because my heart and soul are a little broken, thanks to her and her words I can face this reality," he added, grateful to God for allowing him to find his relatives' bodies, as many families have not yet located their loved ones.

Because my heart and soul are a little broken, thanks to her and her words I can face this reality.

— Leonardo SuárezSuárez reflected on his wife's encouragement after he found her alive amidst the rubble.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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