Full Breakdown
Former Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejía Survives Venezuela Hotel Collapse Amid Deadly Earthquakes
6/27/2026, 4:29:34 AM
Near-Fatal Escape in La Guaira
On the afternoon of 24 June 2026, two strong earthquakes struck the Caracas region, causing the Hotel Eduards in La Guaira to collapse. Former New York Mets closer Jenrry Mejía was in the hotel gym when he entered an elevator to return to his sixth-floor room. The lift, called by another passenger at the last moment, descended to the basement and opened onto the lobby. Mejía exited just seconds before the building began to crumble and helped an elderly man escape the debris.
Earthquake Context and Regional Impact
The seismic events measured 7.2 and 7.5 and occurred 39 seconds apart. The tremors devastated coastal areas of Vargas, turning large sections of La Guaira into a disaster zone. Rescue crews reported that nearly 70,000 families across the coastal state were affected, and flights out of Venezuela were suspended.
Key Figures: Jenrry Mejía and Other MLB-Linked Victims
Mejía, 36, pitched for the Mets from 2010 to 2015 and later returned to the Venezuelan Major League. The hotel also housed relatives of former MLB players Eliezer Alfonso and Gorkys Hernández; their wives and children were reported missing. The New York Mets issued a statement expressing solidarity.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
The New York Mets posted on X: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.” Acting President Delcy Rodríguez called the situation a “disaster zone” and directed rescue operations. Authorities said search teams continue combing the rubble and coordinating humanitarian aid.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was in the gym area. And at that moment, I took the elevator to leave,” — Jenrry Mejía, former MLB pitcher
- “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.” — Jenrry Mejía
- “The door opened directly into the lobby. That’s when I came out and the building started to collapse.” — Jenrry Mejía
- “I was able to drag him away, take him with me.” — Jenrry Mejía
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on casualty figures, with death counts ranging from 164 to 589 and injury numbers from 971 to 2,980. The exact number of missing individuals, particularly among the families of Alfonso and Hernández, remains unverified. No independent audit of the reported 70,000 affected families has been published.
What’s Next
Rescue teams will maintain search-and-recovery operations while authorities assess structural damage across Vargas. International aid agencies have pledged assistance, and the Venezuelan government plans to restore air travel once safety inspections are completed. Mejía remains without personal documents, limiting his ability to leave the country until flights resume.
