On August 10, 2026, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Colombia, leading to widespread destruction. A harrowing incident from the disaster involved the rescue of a young infant from the rubble of a collapsed building. Social media footage, shared by Brian Osorio Zuluaga, captured the tense moments as searchers worked to save lives.
The initial video showed a group of people sifting through debris, asking a survivor if he was alone beneath the ruins. He responded, “I’m with a baby,” prompting the rescuers to urgently clear debris by hand. Cries of a child could be heard as they worked. A subsequent video revealed a man holding the crying baby, his arms bloodied, with the lower part of his body trapped in the debris.
In the footage, five rescuers managed to carefully extract the infant and called for medical assistance before celebrating with cheers. Efforts continued to free the man who had been holding the baby. Zuluaga, who was among the first responders at the site, shared his experiences through social media, emphasizing the human solidarity and the critical nature of prompt action. He stated, “A helping hand can make the difference between life and death.”
As rescue operations proceed, the status of those pulled from the rubble remains uncertain. The challenge for search teams and volunteers is immense as they race to locate survivors throughout the country.
Following the earthquake, which is recorded as one of the most severe in Colombia’s history, President Abelardo de la Espriella reported at least 181 fatalities and 2,595 injuries. Nearly 4,000 individuals remain missing, according to civilian-run databases.
The international community has responded with offers of aid. The United States pledged over $15 million, while Mexico promised to send health workers and supplies. Additionally, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced his country will dispatch two planes with 100 tons of aid.
Bukele expressed solidarity by saying, “Our prayers are with the families of the victims, the wounded, and all the Colombian people.”