Mum of newborn rescued from Venezuela rubble says baby motivated her to stay alive
BBC News 2026-06-29 07:51:05
Context: A devastating earthquake struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and loss of life, with at least 1,450 people killed and tens of thousands more missing. In the midst of this disaster, a mother, Dayana Patino, and her 18-day-old baby, Juan David, were rescued from the rubble of their apartment building in the northern coastal region of La Guaira. The mother and baby were pulled to safety on Thursday night, with the baby's presence serving as a motivation for the mother to stay alive during the ordeal.
Key Facts
- Dayana Patino, a mother from Venezuela, was rescued from the rubble of her eighth-floor apartment building in La Guaira along with her 18-day-old baby, Juan David, after a devastating earthquake struck the region.
- The earthquake, which occurred on Wednesday, killed at least 1,450 people and left tens of thousands more missing, with the country's interim president describing it as the "most brutal natural catastrophe" in Venezuela's history.
- During the rescue, Dayana's husband, Gerson, was overcome with emotion, saying he "felt like he was born again" when he saw his son, and described the moment of their rescue as "a miracle".
- Dayana suffered injuries to both of her legs during the earthquake, while her baby, Juan David, sustained only minor injuries, and the family's home was completely destroyed, leaving them without any possessions.
- Dayana credited her baby with giving her the motivation to stay alive during the ordeal, saying "as long as he was alive, I was going to be alive," and that she periodically touched his nose to ensure he was still breathing.