In a harrowing tale of survival amid natural disaster, former New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia recounted how he narrowly escaped harm during the recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. These catastrophic tremors claimed the lives of over 200 individuals, yet Mejia attributes his survival to what he describes as ‘divine intervention.’
Jenrry Mejia, who donned the Mets uniform for 113 games during two periods between 2010 and 2015, faced a tumultuous career. His journey was marred by a lifetime ban in 2016 following a third positive steroid test. However, his baseball career saw a revival when MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated him after a two-year hiatus.
The 36-year-old’s close brush with danger unfolded in La Guaira, a city just 15 miles from Caracas. Having just completed a workout at a hotel gym, Mejia was en route to his room when nature struck with brutal force.
In a fortunate twist, instead of ascending to the sixth floor as planned, the elevator unexpectedly descended to the ground floor, summoned by another guest.
Reflecting on the surreal event, Mejia shared, “I was in the gym area. And at that moment, I took the elevator to leave,” he recounted to the Dominican newspaper Diario Libre. For him, the serendipitous elevator detour may have made all the difference between life and tragedy.
‘In fact, I had pressed number six, which was where my floor was. But… I think it was God because instead of going up, it went down to the basement.’
Ex-Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia has revealed how ‘divine intervention’ saved his life during the back-to-back Venezuela earthquakes
Thousands are feared to be buried alive beneath the rubble after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela
‘The door opened directly into the lobby. That’s when I came out and the building started to collapse,’ he continued.
Mejia, who now pitches for Venezuelan Major League team La Guaira Delfines, even helped an elderly man to safety. He claimed they were the only two who survived the deadly destruction.
‘With the agility I have, I helped an elderly gentleman. I was able to drag him away, take him with me,’ Mejia continued.
‘I think only he and I (came out alive), the others are still there, trapped under the rubble.’
Mejia lost all of his possessions in the earthquakes and couldn’t fly home to the Dominican Republic because his passport is missing and flights are suspended.
Thousands are feared to be buried alive beneath the rubble after the powerful earthquakes struck on Wednesday night, with officials fearing the death toll could rise dramatically.
The official death toll rose to around 235 late Thursday, with at least 4,300 people injured, Venezuela Health Minister Carlos Alvarado told state media.
The number of casualties is expected to climb with thousands reported missing and frantic rescue efforts continuing.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and were felt throughout the region.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century
Rescue workers and volunteers search through the rubble of a collapsed building in Caracas
Rescue workers work at the scene in an earthquake-affected area of Caracas, Venezuela
The injured were pulled out covered in dust and blood, among them children and animals.
The coastal region of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas, suffered some of the heaviest damage and casualties.
The country’s main airport is there and was closed due to damage, complicating aid efforts.
Many were stunned Thursday morning as they saw buildings reduced to skeletons, furniture hanging out of windows and helicopters circling overhead. Buildings were flattened and streets cracked open.
Families posted missing-person flyers with photos of loved ones while others shared handwritten lists of names as they searched.
Venezuelans abroad struggled to make contact with relatives due to interrupted phone service in the country.
In downtown Caracas, hundreds spent the night huddled in parks, parking lots and other open spaces.
The natural disaster is the latest challenge for acting President Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president who took office in January after Maduro’s capture.
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday. She said the government was creating a $200 million reconstruction fund for damaged hospitals and homes.