Colombian Family's Narrow Escape from Collapsing Home During 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Goes Viral
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A Colombian family narrowly escaped their home seconds before it collapsed during a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on August 10, 2026.
- The earthquake caused significant damage, with official figures reporting hundreds of deaths and thousands affected.
- A viral video captured the family's harrowing evacuation and the subsequent destruction of their house and a neighboring one.
A dramatic video capturing a Colombian family's escape from their home just moments before it collapsed during a powerful earthquake has gone viral. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, leaving a trail of devastation.
Official reports indicate the seismic event resulted in approximately 200 deaths, over 1,300 injuries, and left more than 5,000 people displaced in cities like Manizales, Cali, and Pereira. Amidst this tragedy, the footage highlights the critical importance of seconds during seismic emergencies.
The video, shared on Facebook by content creator Lina Pรฉrez Ocampo, shows the intense moments of the evacuation. Two men are seen rushing out of the house, but urgent calls were made for a younger son who was asleep downstairs. Once outside, the family witnessed the violent shaking and the collapse of a neighboring house. Seconds later, their own home suffered severe damage to its facade and rear structure.
In a subsequent video, the family surveyed the aftermath, revealing a collapsed roof and extensive structural damage. "I'm in shock, the whole house didn't break," commented Lina's son, expressing disbelief at the extent of the damage. The article also mentions the rescue of a dog from a collapsed building in a separate, heartwarming incident.
I'm in shock, the whole house didn't break
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.