In 1985, 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez became the haunting face of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano disaster in Colombia. Trapped in rising mud and debris after a deadly eruption destroyed her home, Omayra survived nearly 60 hours with only her head above water before she died. A photograph of her final moments, eyes bloodshot and filled with pain, shocked the world.
Photographer Frank Fournier captured the image and has since faced criticism for not helping. He explained he couldn’t save her—no one could. “It was impossible to get her out,” he told the BBC. Rescue workers lacked the equipment and feared amputation wouldn’t even save her.
Omayra’s last words were filled with love: “Mommy, I love you so much, daddy I love you, brother I love you.” Beneath her, rescuers later found debris and her aunt’s lifeless arms still clutching her.
Fournier defended his decision to take the photo, saying it exposed the government’s failure to act. “People still find the picture disturbing. That’s the power of this little girl’s story,” he said.
