Colombia Earthquake Survivor Gives Her Son an Unforgettable Birthday

PEREIRA, Colombia, Aug. 12 (Reuters) — A Colombian family’s fears turned to overwhelming relief after a 32-year-old woman was rescued alive nearly 38 hours after being trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building on the same day her 12-year-old son was due to celebrate his birthday.

Julio Cesar Largo became increasingly worried when his daughter, Daniela, failed to arrive for her son’s birthday celebration. A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake had struck Colombia on Monday, killing at least 250 people and leaving many others injured or missing.

Daniela had been travelling home to Riosucio in Caldas province when communication with her family was lost. Her father feared that something had happened to her after repeated calls to her phone went unanswered.

The family began searching for her, carrying a poster with her photograph. Witnesses later told them they had seen Daniela on the morning of the earthquake.

Trapped Beneath Four-Story Building

Daniela had been inside a budget lodging house in downtown Pereira when the four-story building collapsed. She was trapped beneath concrete slabs, with one of her arms pinned by a metal door.

Rescuers eventually located her while searching for another person believed to be trapped under the rubble.

The rescue operation lasted around 10 hours, involving dozens of specialists and about 50 volunteers who carefully worked to free her.

When Daniela was finally brought out alive on a stretcher and taken to San Jorge Hospital, people gathered near the site erupted in cheers and applause.

‘It Feels Like the Day She Was Born Again’

Her father said the experience had been devastating but described his daughter’s survival as an overwhelming moment of happiness.

He said the family had planned to take Daniela’s son to a shopping mall in Manizales to celebrate his 12th birthday.

Instead, the boy’s birthday became a day his family would never forget — marked by the dramatic survival and rescue of his mother.

For Largo, Daniela’s rescue meant more than simply finding his missing daughter.

He said her survival felt like “the day she was born all over again”, giving her another chance to continue raising her son.