In 1985, the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia killed over 20,000 people, devastating the town of Armero. Among the victims was 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez Garzón, trapped under debris in neck-deep water after the lahars struck. Despite efforts by volunteers to rescue her, Omayra was stuck for 60 hours, with no way to save her.
French photographer Frank Fournier captured a haunting image of Omayra during her final moments, which won the World Press Photo of the Year in 1986. The photo showed her struggling to survive, her eyes bloodshot from the pressure of her trapped legs and cold water.
While some criticized Fournier for taking the photo instead of helping, he explained that as a photojournalist, he felt compelled to document her courage and suffering, hoping it would draw attention to the disaster. Omayra tragically passed away on November 16, likely from gangrene or hypothermia.
