All four members of Venezuelan band Van Der Dijs killed in earthquake
The Venezuelan nu-metal band Van Der Dijs tragically died in the recent earthquake that struck the South American country on June 23rd.
All four members of the group have been confirmed to have been among the 1,700 casualties of the natural disaster, which has left Venezuela in a state of national mourning.
According to the local publication Ùltimas Noticas, the group were rehearsing a building that was situated in La Guaira when the tragedy struck.
Heartbreakingly, as a result of the two consecutive earthquakes that registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, the building collapsed. They were later identified by the rescue team at the Costamar II in in the Tanaguarena area.
The band consisted of singer Manuel van Der Dijs, guitarist Gabriel Gómez, bassist Xander Hernández and drummer Abraham Foucault.
Just days before their lives came to an unfortunate end, they performed their final concert at the Experimental Hall of the Modern Art Center in La Castellana.
Despite only forming in 2024, they were making a name for themselves in the Venezuelan rock scene, gaining thousands of Instagram followers, and playing shows across the country.
In addition to the 1,700 who have confirmed to have died, a further 3,150 have been injured, and 12,721 others are now displaced.
Sadly, Major Jorge Montanero, leader of the EQ11 rescue team, has said of the ongoing situation (per Sky News), “In the end, we believe the days have already passed and that what we will find now is death.”
Montanero also conceded, “Unfortunately, things haven’t developed favourably.”
As those tasked with the rescue mission continue to fear for the worst, the UN has procured 10,000 body bags.
In a recent statement on X, the country’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez shared, “Each life saved is a victory for hope. More than 25,000 firefighters, rescuers, police officers, military personnel and emergency responders are active and deployed, assisting all those affected by the earthquakes.”
Van Der Dijs released their final single, ’15 Minutes’, just last month. The official video is available to watch below.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.