Former New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia has attributed a close brush with death to what he described as “divine intervention” after an elevator malfunction in a Venezuelan hotel potentially saved his life during a devastating earthquake. The 36-year-old, who was staying at the Hotel Eduards in La Guaira, recounted the incident during an interview on the Dominican sports radio show “Mañana Deportiva” (“Morning Sports”).

Mejia had just finished a workout and was returning to his room when the region was struck by two powerful earthquakes occurring 39 seconds apart. According to the former athlete, he initially pressed the button for the sixth floor, where his room was located. However, instead of ascending, the elevator descended to the building’s basement level, opening directly into the hotel lobby.

He described the event as an act of fate, crediting this unexpected detour with allowing him to exit the hotel mere seconds before the structure collapsed completely. The timing of his escape, approximately 40 seconds before the hotel gave way, proved critical in sparing him from the destruction that followed.

The earthquakes in the La Guaira area resulted in widespread damage and have been reported to have caused the deaths of over 900 people, though details remain fluid as rescue efforts continue. The incident has highlighted the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the narrow margins that can determine survival.

Mejia’s experience underscores a personal account amid a tragedy that has affected thousands. His story has drawn attention to the human impact behind the statistics and the potential role of chance in life-or-death situations during catastrophic events.