12-year-old was buried alive after Venezuela earthquakes—what kept her conscious for 32 hours was surprisingly ordinary

When a building collapses during an earthquake, every passing minute can become a fight for survival. A 12-year-old girl in Venezuela found herself trapped under the rubble after the powerful disaster destroyed her home, leaving her alone beneath the debris for 32 hours. During that time, one unexpected item helped her stay alive until rescuers finally reached her. As reported by BBC News on Monday, July 6, 2026, Fabiana Blanco’s story emerged after the harrowing incident took place on June 24, 2026, bringing a moment of hope amid the destruction. Her family feared the worst, but the young girl's one move became life-saving.

Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within a short period. According to PEOPLE, the first quake measured 7.2 in magnitude, followed by another measuring 7.5, causing widespread damage across affected areas. At the time, Fabiana was at home while her mother, Karina, was away preparing to teach an exercise class. When the mom understood the seriousness of the situation, she rushed back and found that the building where they lived had collapsed. She searched through the damaged area in panic, fearing her daughter was gone. Inside the wreckage, Fabiana remembered seeing objects falling, walls breaking, and the structure giving way before she got trapped. She later recalled fearing, “I’m going to die. I won’t survive this.” However, as time passed, she tried to stay awake with the help of a bottle of ketchup and some grated cheese she found beside her. "That's what kept me conscious," she said. 

During the hours underground, she was also able to communicate with a caretaker who was trapped in another part of the building. After the latter was rescued, she informed volunteers that Fabiana was still alive. Initially, when the girl was called out, there was no response, causing her family to fear that she had not survived. Later, a volunteer named Viktor heard her voice beneath the rubble and informed Karina that her daughter was alive. He stayed near the site and continued reassuring the 12-year-old while rescue workers searched for a way to reach her. After hours of work, they created an opening that finally allowed her to be brought out safely.

The disaster also shows the widespread impact earthquakes can have on lives across the world. According to the World Health Organization, earthquakes resulted in nearly 750,000 deaths worldwide between 1998 and 2017. During the same period, more than 125 million people were affected, including those who experienced injuries, displacement, homelessness, or the need to evacuate. Miraculously, Fabiana escaped with minor injuries, including a fracture in her left foot, and was one of three people found alive from her building. After seeing her family and the destroyed structure, she said the moment felt unreal, almost like watching a scene on television. She now stays with her grandmother while recovering from both her physical injuries and the emotional effects of the frightening experience. 

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