The body of Lucas Gámez, the 9-year-old Argentine boy who was trapped under the rubble in Venezuela, has been found

After 14 days of anguishing search, Lucas Gámez, the 9-year-old Argentine boy who had been trapped under the rubble in Venezuela after the strong earthquakes that shook the country, was found dead.

The minor was in the Miramar building, located in the coastal city of La Guaira, when the earthquakes occurred. His parents, Blancalida Martínez and Marcos Gámez, were in the area and did not leave the site during the entire rescue operation.

Lucas had traveled with his uncles to enjoy a day at the beach. As soon as they felt the first tremor, his mother ran to the location and encountered a scene of total devastation: the building had completely collapsed.

The family held onto hope until the very last moment. This Wednesday, the most painful confirmation arrived: the boy's body was located among the remains of the building.

The birthday amid tragedy

Lucas turned 9 this Monday, while he was still listed as missing. His family and loved ones organized a symbolic celebration outside the collapsed building. They brought a cake and sang happy birthday with the hope that he could return alive.

“Happy birthday, Lucas. May the best gift of your 9 years be coming home alive,” his mother, Blancalida Martínez, had written in an Instagram post days earlier. She also shared an emotional video recorded by his schoolmates to wish him the best.

During the search, the woman experienced moments of deep despair. On the seventh day, she requested to enter the rubble area to talk to her son. With a helmet and much emotion, she shouted words of encouragement: she told him that she was there with his dad and that he should not give up.