As Omayra’s strength waned in the lahar, she uttered her final words. A poignant message to her family: “Mommy, I love you so much, daddy I love you, brother I love you.” On November 16, 1985, Omayra succumbed to what was likely gangrene or hypothermia, ending her three-day ordeal. Her brother and mother survived the disaster, the latter remarking, “It is horrible, but we have to think about the living… I will live for my son, who only lost a finger.”
The Lasting Impact: A Call for Accountability
Omayra’s death, along with the thousands of others who perished in the disaster, led to widespread criticism of the Colombian government for its lack of preparedness and failure to evacuate residents despite warnings. The haunting image of Omayra continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the tragedy and the human cost of inaction. As Fournier aptly put it, “People still find the picture disturbing. This highlights the lasting power of this little girl. I was lucky that I could act as a bridge to link people with her. It’s the magic of the thing.”