Venezuela Mother Says 18-Day-Old Son Kept Her Alive After 1,450-Death Quake
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 29
Venezuela Mother Says 18-Day-Old Son Kept Her Alive After 1,450-Death Quake
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 29
Summary
Dayana Patino told the BBC her 18-day-old son Juan David kept her "awake and alert" while they lay trapped under their collapsed La Guaira apartment after Venezuela's twin earthquakes.
Hours under rubble, she said she conserved energy, checked his breathing by touching his nose, and waited until she heard her brother calling before screaming for help.
Thursday night's rescue pulled both out alive after a delicate operation; Patino suffered injuries to both legs, while the baby had only minor injuries.
At least 1,450 people were killed and tens of thousands remain missing, with search efforts still underway but hopes of finding more survivors fading.
Widely shared rescue footage has turned Juan David into a symbol of hope as the family, whose home was destroyed, says it will rebuild from scratch.