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Fabiana Blanco survived for 32 hours under the rubble of a building in La Guaira, after two strong tremors hit Venezuela on June 24.
A survival story drew attention in Venezuela after the earthquakes recorded on June 24.
According to a report published by the BBC, the girl was home alone when two strong tremors occurred within seconds of each other. The second shock reached a magnitude of 7.5.
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Mother ran to the building after feeling the tremors
Karina Blanco, Fabiana’s mother, was about to start a spinning class when the ground began to shake.
Soon after, realizing the seriousness of the situation, she grabbed her bag, left the place, and drove quickly to the building where her daughter was.
Upon arrival, Karina found a devastating scene. Where the family building once stood, there was only a large void between other buildings.
Apartment collapsed while Fabiana tried to protect herself
Fabiana was in her mother’s room at the time of the earthquakes. She then ran to the kitchen and tried to hold onto a counter.
The walls began to crack, fall, and break around her.
The girl was thrown to the ground and trapped between concrete, dust, and debris.
At that moment, according to Fabiana, she believed she would not survive.
Ketchup and cheese helped girl remain conscious
After the collapse, the 32-hour wait for rescue began.
Fabiana lay on her back, surrounded by debris. The ceiling was very close to her face.
Even so, the girl claimed she felt an unexpected calmness.
While trying to move one of her legs, which was bent in a painful position, she found a bottle of ketchup and some grated cheese.
According to Fabiana, these foods helped keep her conscious until the rescuers arrived.
Volunteer heard response and rekindled family’s hope
First, a nurse also trapped in the rubble heard Fabiana. After being rescued, she informed the volunteers that there was a living girl at the site.
Later, a volunteer named Viktor climbed through the debris and called for Fabiana.
This time, the girl was able to hear and responded.
The news rekindled Karina’s hope, who began shouting that her daughter was alive.
Then, residents arrived with tools. Cars and motorcycles also illuminated the destroyed building with headlights.
Rescue occurred during the early morning
Little by little, the rescuers cleared a path through the debris.
Finally, an opening allowed Fabiana to be seen smiling among the rubble. The video of the moment went viral in Venezuela.
Around 2 a.m. on Friday, the rescuers managed to open a tunnel large enough to remove the girl.
Fabiana emerged with the support of the rescuers and fell into her mother’s arms.
Family tries to restart after tragedy
Fabiana suffered a fracture in her left foot, scratches, and bruises. Still, she did not sustain more serious injuries.
Now, she lives with her grandmother and tries to recover from the trauma.
According to Karina, almost 50 people lived in the building. Only three were pulled out alive.
By Sunday, according to the original report, 3,342 deaths had been confirmed, while tens of thousands of people were still missing.
Despite the sadness, Karina summed up the family’s sentiment in one phrase: “My daughter is alive.”
Fabiana’s case shows how rescue operations, community organization, and hope can make a difference in tragedies caused by earthquakes.
How do you think Fabiana managed to keep hope after 32 hours trapped under the rubble?
