In 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in Colombia, triggering deadly mudflows that destroyed the town of Armero and killed thousands. Among the victims was 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez Garzón, whose heartbreaking final moments became known worldwide after a haunting photo taken by Frank Fournier.

Omayra was trapped in debris and water for three days, with only her head and hands visible. Rescue teams couldn’t free her because her legs were pinned under her collapsed home. Despite their efforts—including giving her food, drink, and even placing a tire around her to keep her afloat—“they couldn’t get her out of there.”

She remained remarkably brave throughout her ordeal, even speaking to journalists and saying her goodbyes: “Mommy, I love you so much, daddy I love you, brother I love you.” She died after roughly 60 hours, likely from hypothermia or gangrene.

Fournier later explained why he didn’t intervene: “It was impossible.” He defended taking the photo, saying it raised global awareness and aid, and exposed the government’s failure to act on known risks: “There were no evacuation plans, yet scientists had foreseen the catastrophic extent of the volcano’s eruption.”