THREE RECENT DISASTERS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

The magmatic energy emitted by the volcano melted 10% of the mountain’s glacier, sending four lahars – flows of mud, earth and debris produced by volcanic activity – down the slopes of Nevado at 80 km/h. The lahars increased in speed, and the volcanic eruption was followed by a volcanic eruption. The lahars increased their speed in the ravines and headed towards the beds of the six rivers originating in the volcano. The town of Armero, located just under 50 km from the volcano, was hit by the lahars, killing more than 20 000 of its 29 000 inhabitants. Casualties in other towns, particularly in the municipalities of Chinchiná and Villamaría, raised the death toll to more than 23 000. Rescue efforts were hampered by the mud, which made it almost impossible to move without being trapped. By the time rescuers reached Armero, twelve hours after the eruption, many of the seriously injured victims had already died. Video footage and photographs were released around the world of Omayra Sanchez, a teenage victim of the tragedy, who was trapped for three days until she finally died. Other photographs of the disaster’s impact drew public attention and sparked controversy over the extent of the Colombian government’s responsibility for the catastrophe. This was the second deadliest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, second only to the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, and the fourth-deadliest volcanic event since 1500. More than 500 children were lost and are still being sought. The foundation www.armandoarmero.org is dedicated to finding them.