A family in Colombia captured the pivotal moments of their escape as a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake slammed the nation on Monday. They were among the first to flee after the tremor intensified, avoiding the devastating damage that left at least 169 people dead and made the latest quake the strongest Colombia has experienced in the 21st century.
"At first, we thought it was just a mild tremor like the ones that usually happen in Colombia," said Liliana Pérez Ocampo, whose family of four escaped the shaking before the building began to fracture. She added that while material belongings can be restored after such disasters, life is priceless and “the most important thing is life, and we have that.”
The Colombian Geological Service confirmed the quake’s intensity and highlighted the widespread impact on homes, infrastructure, and communities. With two of Pérez Ocampo’s children in school at the time, the family reports they are safe.
For a deeper look into how Colombian communities are coping with seismic threats, visit the BBC’s in‑depth coverage: BBC World Service analysis.
