Heroic rescue of baby from rubble after Colombia earthquake

On Monday, August 10, 2026, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, marking the strongest seismic event in over a decade. The quake primarily affected the coffee-growing region, causing widespread destruction and prompting a national disaster response. In the city of Cali, Brian Osorio Zuluaga, who was in his office at the time, rushed home on his motorbike. Upon arriving, he joined a group of residents attempting to rescue those trapped under the debris of La Torres del Limonar, a large building that collapsed during the quake.

As Osorio and others worked together to lift heavy slabs of concrete, they heard a faint voice indicating the presence of a baby. With a collective effort, they managed to remove the rubble, revealing a tiny infant who began to breathe again as he was freed. Osorio handed the baby, a boy, to a police officer who took him to an ambulance for medical attention. This remarkable rescue was captured on video, showcasing the unity and determination of the community in the face of disaster.

While the rescue efforts in Cali were met with some success, the situation in the hardest-hit areas, particularly in Chocó, remained dire. Victor Chamapuro, an indigenous leader from the Wounaan Indigenous Reserve, reported that many homes were completely destroyed, leaving families without shelter. The region, known as Colombia's poorest, faced significant challenges in receiving aid due to its remote location, which can only be accessed by a lengthy boat journey.

As search and rescue operations continued into the third day, the national and international community began to mobilize resources to assist those affected. However, the urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that many survivors were still waiting for help, highlighting the need for a coordinated response to address the immediate needs of the victims and the long-term recovery efforts required in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.