Italian-Venezuelan woman confirmed dead in Venezuela earthquake as toll exceeds 920

The seismic sequence

Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela on the afternoon of 24 June, followed by a magnitude-4.9 aftershock on 27 June. The epicentre was located 44 kilometres north of Maracay, Aragua state, at a depth of 4.6 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. At least 13 medium- and low-intensity events were registered around La Guaira, Naiguatá, Boca de Aroa, Maracay and San Felipe.

The death toll has reached more than 920, according to the Venezuelan government.

Search for Francesca Mannina

Francesca Mannina, originally from Balestrate in the province of Palermo, was born in South America to an emigrant family. She held a degree in international commerce and ran a family butcher shop with her husband, Roberto Santilli.

When the earthquake struck, the couple tried to flee their apartment in the Pin High building. Santilli was trapped on the stairs but survived; Mannina became trapped at the door and could not escape. For days her brother Pedro waited at the rubble, checking hospitals and sharing her photo on social media.

“I was hoping she had the same luck as Roberto. That she had gotten out before the collapse, that someone had seen her, that she was in some hospital without a phone, without documents, without a way to call us. Every possibility was still a hope for us.”

The family's announcement

At 22:30 Italian time on 26 June, her body was recovered. Pedro Mannina confirmed the death, saying he was helping to bring her out from the debris. Her uncle Davide Emma posted a farewell on Facebook.

“Goodbye, little granddaughter of immense heart – always ready to encourage, to give hope and wish well. Now the earthquake has taken you away and the pain you left is indescribable. Heartfelt thanks to all those who stood by us.”

Mannina was the second Sicilian missing after the earthquake; her partner had been found alive the day before. She was among at least three Italian victims, including Giuseppe Colaianni, 55, from Calascibetta, Enna, who died after saving his Venezuelan wife.

Government response and aftershocks

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez asked people to avoid the area north of Caracas, while Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the government was prepared to restrict access to La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit states. The new 4.9-magnitude aftershock early on 27 June was felt in Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, La Guaira and Caracas.