Share to ClassroomRescuers Save Baby After Colombia Earthquake
In Colombia, a group of men dug through a collapsed building with their hands. They found a baby, still alive, and lifted the child out. A volunteer named Brian Osorio Zuluaga posted a video of the rescue online on Monday night. A man was trapped under the concrete. He was protecting the baby with his body. He called to the men above him: "I'm with a baby." The five men freed the child and then went back to help him.
A strong earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday morning. Its magnitude was 7.4. The number of dead rose through Tuesday, and different groups gave different numbers. A group of city governments said 132 people had died. President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 181 people had died and 2,595 were hurt. About 1,600 buildings were damaged or destroyed. More than 3,000 people were missing.
The president took office only days before the earthquake. He declared a state of emergency and sent soldiers, police, engineers and search dogs to the area. Three cities started curfews, which keep people at home at night. Airports in six cities were damaged. Other countries helped quickly. The United States promised $15.5 million for shelter and food, Mexico offered hundreds of rescue and medical workers, and El Salvador promised 100 tonnes of supplies.
