Warning: This post contains photos that some readers may find disturbing.
Haunting television video has recorded some of the final moments of a young girl who sadly died after spending 60 hours in a mudflow in Colombia.
In 1985, the little community of Armero was devastated by one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in history, killing over 20,000 people in the South American country.
Despite warnings the year before that the Nevado del Ruiz would erupt shortly, nearby settlements were left at the mercy of the 17,000-foot volcano, which tragically claimed over 23,000 lives and caused massive long-term damage.
While it didn’t have the same global impact as a big volcano like Yellowstone erupting, local communities were completely unprepared after 69 years of slumber, and the repercussions were nonetheless rather destructive.
The volcanic eruption forced glaciers on the mountain to melt, resulting in pyroclastic mudflows known as ‘lahars.’ Four of these devastating landslides rushed down the volcano’s slopes at speeds exceeding 30 mph, killing more than 20,000 of Armero’s 29,000 residents.
One casualty was 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez Garzón, who became renowned throughout the world after a tragic photo of her stuck in the mud was circulated, revealing her eyes going black.
Footage of the teenager’s final moments has also gone viral, showing her being cruelly abandoned in the mudflow to die, with rescue teams helpless and unable to do anything but comfort her as she painfully waited for death.
Her eyes turned black after over 60 hours in the muck, likely due to the long immersion and the rubble’s pressure on her body. Not long later, she died.
Frank Fournier, the photojournalist who captured the viral photo of her final moments, has previously discussed why he was unable to help her out of the water and how her death would serve as a catalyst for increased support from the Colombian government to ensure that disasters of this magnitude never occur again.
He stated, “She was in a large puddle, trapped from the waist down by concrete and other debris from the collapsed houses.”
@.supanovaaa Omayra Sánchez was k!illed in 1985 by the volcanic eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in Armero, Colombia. She suffered nearly 3 nights as her body was trapped in water and under concrete. She was 13 years old when she passed. May her soul rest peacefully 🕊️ #fyp #volcanoeruption #omayrasanchez #educationalpurposes #parati #k18results ♬ original sound – sampuckettx3
“She’d been there about three days. Dawn was just breaking, and the poor girl was in agony and confused.
“I believe the photo raised money for charity from all around the world while also highlighting the country’s authorities’ recklessness and lack of bravery.
“There was a clear absence of leadership. Despite the lack of evacuation arrangements, geologists predicted that the volcano’s eruption would be disastrous.
“People still find the image frightening. The scene demonstrates the tiny girl’s staying power. I was fortunate to be able to function as a bridge between people and her.” The magic lies within the object.