Miracle in Colombia: Baby rescued from earthquake rubble

Amidst the devastation of Colombia's strongest earthquake in a century, a remarkable rescue unfolded as a baby was pulled alive from the ruins of a collapsed five-story building. The magnitude 7.4 quake, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar, sent shockwaves across the country, causing widespread destruction and panic.

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It was a big complex, covering an entire block.

Brian Osorio Zuluaga, who was near the "La Torres del Limonar" residential complex in Cali when it crumbled, described the scene of chaos. Residents fled into the streets, some in shock, others crying. Despite warnings of a possible gas leak, Osorio and others approached the wreckage, calling out for survivors. A faint whisper led them to a man who confirmed he was with a baby.

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Yes, I'm here. I'm with a baby.

Working together, Osorio and several others began clearing the debris by hand. They faced a significant obstacle: a large concrete slab blocking their path. "The first attempt, we couldn't lift it," Osorio recounted. With a collective effort, they managed to move the heavy slab, creating an opening. Osorio saw the baby's head, struggling to breathe, and as they continued to clear the rubble, the infant began to breathe.

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The first attempt, we couldn't lift it.

The video captured by Osorio shows the dust-covered baby being carefully extracted. A man, his arm bleeding, was also trapped beneath the concrete slab. After handing the baby to a police officer, the focus shifted to freeing the man. Osorio reflected on the scene, seeing scattered clothes, shoes, and a plush toy, and thinking about those potentially still trapped. He emphasized the power of unity, stating, "No one could have lifted that piece of debris alone; it was so big and heavy." He added, "It's better to act than to stand still. Every little bit of help counts."

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We all lifted it together, one, two, three, up.