In 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in Colombia, triggering deadly mudflows that buried the town of Armero. Of its 29,000 residents, around 20,000 were killed. Among the victims was 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez Garzón, who became the tragic symbol of the disaster.
Omayra was trapped waist-deep in the debris of her destroyed home for 60 hours. Despite rescuers’ efforts, her legs were pinned under rubble, and she could not be saved. Locals gave her food and drinks, trying to comfort her in her final moments. “Mommy, I love you so much, daddy I love you, brother I love you,” she said shortly before her death.
Her haunting image, captured by photographer Frank Fournier, showed her with blackened eyes—a result of bloodshot vessels and pressure from the debris. Fournier later said, “I felt totally powerless… I had to report her courage and suffering so people would help others.”
He faced criticism for not rescuing her, but he said it was “impossible” and hoped the photo would spark global awareness. Omayra died on November 16 from hypothermia or gangrene. Her story remains a stark reminder of the tragedy and governmental failure to prepare despite early warnings.
