The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Venezuela and throughout Inter-America is mourning the loss of five of its members after a tragic automobile accident on Friday, June 3. Among the dead were three women and two children. One woman remains in critical condition.

"Our Division suffers because of this tragic loss, especially the faithful workers on the road on their way to do their duty. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the church in Venezuela and especially the ministerial families who have suffered great loss." says Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America.

The accident occurred as hundreds of Adventist church leaders and their children were traveling by bus and car from the city of Barquisimeto to Barinas for a children’s ministry leadership event sponsored by the church in the West Central Venezuela Conference. According to eyewitness reports, the victims were driving a Renault vehicle when it was hit head-on by an out-of-control Toyota Camry.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church extends a message of condolences and hope to all the families suffering the loss in the west central territory," says Rodolfo Escobar, Vice president and communication director of the church in Venezuela.

The victims were identified as Gloria de Linarez, who was children’s and women’s ministry director in the west central region, and her daughter Maribel Linarez; Celilia Rojas Manrique, former women’s ministry director; Laura, age 10, and brother Jesus Gabriel Fernandez, age 4. The only survivor was Lorena Fernandez, mother of the two children who were killed. Fernandez underwent surgery after the crash.

Funeral services for the victims were held on Sabbath and Sunday, where hundreds of church leaders and bus loads of members throughout the country were present.

"We are still in shock for this tragedy," says Pastor Vladimir Kabbas, president for the church in Venezuela’s west central region. "There are no words to express the loss of so many lives. We lost a wonderful leader in Gloria de Linarez who was a great leader and also my secretary," he adds.

"We ask for the prayers of our brothers and sisters throughout the Division during this time of loss," adds Pastor Kabbas.

Adventist Church leaders in Venezuela declared June 6 and 7 national mourning days for the nearly 600 churches and congregations throughout Venezuela.

A team of paramedics, counselors and ministers were organized to provide counseling for the victims’ families and people who witnessed the accident.[Editor: Libna Stevens for IAD/APD]