Family Escapes Home As Colombia's Strongest 21st-Century Earthquake Unfolds

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:57:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Colombian family captured the moment they fled their house when a 7.4‑magnitude quake hit, saving their lives amid the country's deadliest earthquake in two decades.

A video shows a Colombian family, led by mother Liliana Pérez Ocampo, escaping their home seconds before a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake struck. The tremor, the most powerful in Colombia since 2000, caused 132 deaths. The mother clarified that they first mistook it for a mild tremor, but the shaking intensified over half a minute. Thankfully, all four family members, including two schoolchildren, are safe. While the damage to property remains, the family emphasizes that life is priceless.

A video shows a Colombian family, led by mother Liliana Pérez Ocampo, escaping their home seconds before a 7.4‑magnitude quake struck.

The tremor, the most powerful in Colombia since 2000, caused 132 deaths and shattered homes across several towns.

The mother first mistook the shaking for a mild tremor, but after 30 seconds of intense vibration, they realized it was a full earthquake, prompting an emergency exit.

All four family members, including two schoolchildren, are safe, and the mother highlighted that while property can be replaced, life cannot be.

According to Colombia's Geological Service, this quake is the strongest to hit the country in the 21st century, underscoring the need for better preparedness.