A Story of Hope Amid Venezuela’s Deadly Earthquake
A Venezuelan mother and her 18-day-old baby have become a symbol of hope after surviving for hours beneath the rubble of their collapsed apartment building.
Dayana Patino was rescued along with her newborn son, Juan David, after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. The disaster has claimed at least 1,450 lives and left thousands of people missing.
Speaking from a hospital bed in Caracas, Dayana shared how her baby gave her the strength to stay alive.
“I knew I had to survive because my son was with me,” she said. “As long as he was breathing, I would keep fighting too.”
A Terrifying Moment Inside Their Home
The earthquake struck while Dayana was washing dishes in her eighth-floor apartment in La Guaira. She immediately grabbed her baby, believing it was only a small tremor.
Seconds later, the building collapsed.
She described feeling as if she were flying before crashing into debris. Concrete and furniture trapped her, leaving her unable to move.
Her left leg became pinned under heavy rubble, and her head was pressed against a rock. Despite the pain, she remained calm and focused on protecting her son.
Every few moments, she touched Juan David’s nose to make sure he was still breathing.
Finding Strength in the Darkness
Trapped in complete darkness, Dayana searched for hope. She later discovered a Bible beneath her and began praying.
A tiny beam of light entered through the rubble, giving her hope that rescuers might find them.
Instead of screaming continuously, she saved her energy. She decided to call for help only when she heard voices nearby.
That decision eventually saved her life.
A Brother’s Promise That Changed Everything
After many hours under the debris, Dayana heard someone calling her name. It was her brother.
She shouted with all her strength and told him where she was trapped.
Her brother answered, “I found you, and I won’t leave until I get you out.”
Rescue teams then carried out a careful operation to free both mother and child from the collapsed building on Thursday night.
Minor Injuries for the Baby
Dayana suffered injuries to both of her legs during the collapse. Thankfully, baby Juan David escaped with only minor injuries.
His father, Gerson, said seeing his wife and son alive felt like a miracle.
The remarkable rescue has touched people across Venezuela and around the world. In the middle of tragedy and destruction, the survival of a mother and her newborn son has become a powerful reminder that hope can still shine even in the darkest moments.
