Mother and 18-day-old baby survive 32 hours under Venezuela earthquake rubble

An 18-day-old baby and his mother were pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in Venezuela after spending nearly 32 hours trapped beneath debris following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country.

The rescue of Dayana Patino and her newborn son has emerged as one of the most remarkable survival stories from the disaster, which has claimed at least 1,430 lives. Thousands of people remain missing as rescue teams continue search operations across affected areas.

Apartment building collapsed after quake

Dayana was inside her eighth-floor apartment in La Guaira, washing dishes, when the powerful earthquakes struck. She immediately picked up her infant son, believing the shaking was minor.

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"I felt like I was flying. After that, I felt like I was sinking in water and dirt, and then I fell into the pit where I remained. I don't know how I didn't let go of my baby because I was flying. I got crushed against furniture," she told BBC.

Buried under concrete and debris, Dayana realised she had to conserve her strength instead of calling out continuously.

‘As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive’

Her left leg was trapped beneath concrete while her head remained pressed against a rock. Despite her injuries, Dayana's focus stayed on her newborn son.

"As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive. Every now and then I was touching his nose for proof that he was still breathing," she told BBC.

She said a Bible found beneath the rubble helped her maintain hope.

"There began my journey of survival," she said.

In the darkness, she could only see what she described as a "pinprick of light that looked like the moon."

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Brother’s voice led rescuers to her

After more than a day trapped underground, Dayana heard her brother calling out her name from outside the debris.

“I said to myself, this is my only chance. From the top of my lungs I cried out… I screamed 'Here I am' with all my might, and he said 'I found you, and I promise you that I won't leave until I get you out'.”

International rescue teams and volunteers from several countries have joined relief efforts as authorities continue search operations across Venezuela.

FAQs:

How long were the mother and baby trapped under the rubble?

They remained trapped for nearly 32 hours before being rescued.

How did the rescuers find Dayana Patino?

She heard her brother calling her name and shouted back, helping rescuers locate her.