Former Major League Baseball outfielder Gorkys Hernandez has shared the devastating news that his wife, Deisy Maria Tovar De Hernandez, was among the victims of the powerful earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela. Hernandez announced the tragic loss on Instagram Saturday, sharing a heartfelt tribute to his late wife.
A Heartbreaking Loss
In his Instagram post, Hernandez expressed profound grief and love for his wife, referring to her as the “Queen of my life.” He described her as a resilient and beautiful woman who always found a way to persevere. “You will always be with me at all times and in every moment, fly high my princess my queen that God has you in his glory and guide me to move forward and lift our family,” he wrote, vowing to honor her memory and continue their shared mission. He concluded with a tender “I love you rest in peace my girl give strength love of my life.”
Tragedy Strikes During Baseball Event
The earthquake’s timing added another layer of tragedy. Deisy Tovar De Hernandez was reportedly staying at Hotel Eduards in La Guaira, Venezuela, alongside family members of players from the La Guaira Delfines. The team was preparing for a game against the Aragua Tigres in a Mexican baseball league contest when the tremors hit. Following the suspension of the game, Hernandez and his teammates rushed back to the hotel, only to face the horrific reality of the destruction.
Hernandez, who played seven seasons in MLB for teams including the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, was not the only one affected. Many families of the La Guaira Delfines players were also present at the hotel. The disaster struck on Thursday, and search and rescue efforts have been ongoing amidst the widespread devastation.
Venezuela Reels from Seismic Shocks
Venezuela was hit by a series of powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes reported as 7.2 and 7.5. These seismic events caused widespread destruction across the nation, leaving a trail of collapsed buildings and impassable roads. Initial reports indicate a staggering death toll, with over 1,400 fatalities confirmed and tens of thousands more missing or displaced. The full extent of the casualties and damage is still being assessed as rescue teams navigate the challenging aftermath.
Desperate Search Amidst Rubble
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the ongoing rescue operations. Mileidy Romero, who was involved in searching the debris in Caraballeda, described the harrowing scene. “There’s a pile of bodies over there from last night. Newborn babies,” she recounted, expressing frustration over the perceived delays in rescue efforts. “At 8 p.m. (yesterday) there were people alive down there, and they haven’t bothered to rescue them. We’ve located several bodies, and they haven’t helped us recover them either. What are they waiting for?” This sentiment highlights the desperation felt by those searching for loved ones and the immense challenges faced by emergency responders.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The natural disaster’s impact continues to unfold, with search and recovery operations being a primary focus. The nation grapples with the immense task of accounting for the missing, providing aid to the injured, and beginning the long process of rebuilding in the wake of such a catastrophic event. The solidarity and resilience of the Venezuelan people are being tested as they confront this immense tragedy.
