Girl Trapped Under Earthquake Rubble for 32 Hours Recalls Eating Ketchup to Stay ‘Conscious’ Until Rescue

A 12-year-old girl has been rescued after enduring a harrowing 32 hours trapped beneath the rubble of a building in Caraballeda, Venezuela. This dramatic incident followed a series of rare and powerful earthquakes that struck the country earlier this month, leading to widespread devastation and loss of life.

The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, were recorded on June 24 and are considered among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century. At the time of the disaster, Fabiana Blanco was home alone, while her mother, Karina Blanco, was preparing for an exercise class nearby. Upon feeling the initial tremors, Karina rushed towards their apartment, only to find the building collapsed. She described the moment as a nightmare unfolding before her eyes, stating, “I could see one building, then a gap where my building stood, and then another building.”

In the chaotic aftermath, Karina’s desperate cries for her daughter echoed through the wreckage as she feared the worst. Reports indicate that around 50 residents were inside the building at the time of the earthquakes, and her heart sank as first responders determined they could not search the ruins. She later expressed her growing despair, believing she had lost her daughter forever.

Fabiana, trapped beneath the rubble, managed to keep herself conscious by scavenging for food. She survived by consuming a bottle of ketchup and some grated cheese found in her pantry. Describing her ordeal, Fabiana recounted the fear and uncertainty she faced, believing initially that she would not survive. “The walls cracked… I thought, ‘I’m going to die,’” she recalled, adding that the darkness and debris felt suffocating.

Hope emerged when a nearby caretaker, who had also been trapped but managed to escape, informed rescuers that Fabiana was alive. This revelation revitalised Karina’s determination, and she frantically sought assistance from volunteers and rescue personnel. Amidst the chaos, a volunteer named Viktor played a crucial role in the rescue effort after hearing Fabiana’s faint cries and relaying the news to her mother, creating a pivotal moment of hope.

Despite several attempts, initial rescue teams were unable to reach Fabiana. But Viktor remained steadfast, providing moral support as she endured the frightening ordeal. “For some reason, I had hope and faith,” Fabiana later shared, noting how she had managed to move some of the debris to ease her discomfort and contribute to her own rescue.

At last, after many hours and renewed attempts from rescue teams, a hole was opened wide enough for Fabiana to see outside. The emotional moment was captured on video and quickly gained traction on social media, symbolising a flicker of joy amidst widespread tragedy. When she finally emerged from the rubble, Fabiana was met with a scene she likened to a film, overwhelmed by the reality of her survival against the odds.

Miraculously, her injuries were minor, including a fracture in her left foot, and she became one of only three survivors from the building. The deadly earthquakes have left a staggering death toll, with at least 3,535 reported fatalities and more than 16,740 injured, as reported by Reuters. Over 18,000 individuals have been displaced, struggling to cope with the devastating aftermath.

Currently, Fabiana is living with her grandmother as her family comes to terms with what has transpired. While she recovers physically, the psychological impact of her experience lingers, with Fabiana expressing fear of lying on her back, a reminder of her time trapped beneath the rubble.

Despite the traumatic ordeal, Fabiana’s spirit shines through in recently shared photos, depicting her smiling as her mother kisses her cheek. The emotional bond between them has only grown stronger through this ordeal, serving as a testament to resilience in the face of disaster. Throughout Venezuela, the events surrounding this young girl’s survival have sparked hope and solidarity as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the earthquakes.