A mother in Venezuela has died shielding her daughter from falling debris during a devastating earthquake, a moment of heroism that has captured the nation’s grief. The 6.2-magnitude tremor struck the coastal state of Sucre on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more, according to local authorities.
The mother, identified as 34-year-old Maria Rodriguez, was at home with her six-year-old daughter when the quake hit. As walls collapsed around them, she threw her body over the child, absorbing the lethal impact of a concrete beam. Rescue workers found the girl alive beneath her mother’s body, suffering only minor injuries. ‘She saved my life,’ the child was quoted as saying by a neighbour.
The tragedy has resonated across a country already reeling from economic collapse and political crisis. ‘In a nation where so much is broken, this act of love reminds us what is truly valuable,’ wrote one social media user. But for the daughter, now orphaned, the loss is immediate and devastating. Relatives are raising funds for her care, but with inflation running at over 1,000% and basic goods scarce, the future is uncertain.
The earthquake struck a region ill-prepared for disaster. Many homes in Sucre are poorly constructed, a legacy of years of neglect and corruption. Rescue efforts were hampered by crumbling roads and a lack of heavy machinery. Hospitals, already overwhelmed by shortages of medicine and power cuts, struggled to treat the injured. ‘We need supplies, we need support,’ a nurse told local media, her voice breaking.
The government has promised aid, but trust is thin. Venezuelans have grown sceptical of official promises after years of mismanagement. Meanwhile, the mother’s sacrifice has become a symbol of resilience. ‘She did what any mother would do,’ said her brother, wiping tears. ‘But now her daughter has no one.’
In the midst of tragedy, there is a small glimmer of hope: the child is alive. But for how long, in a country where even survival is a daily struggle? The heroism of Maria Rodriguez will not be forgotten, but the real test lies in whether her daughter – and the nation – can rebuild from the rubble.
