Colombia earthquake survivor Daniela Largo dies in hospital; death toll reaches 294

A rescue that became a symbol

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, 10 August 2026, shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time (15:30 in Greece). It was the strongest earthquake of this century in the country. The cities of Pereira and Cali were among the hardest hit. Daniela Largo, a 32-year-old cancer patient in remission, was trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in Pereira. After nearly 37 hours (one source reported 36), she was pulled alive on Tuesday, 11 August, carried on a stretcher amid cheers and applause from rescue workers and onlookers. The image moved a nation still searching for at least 320 missing people, according to the disaster management agency.

Death in hospital

Daniela Largo died on the evening of Friday, 14 August 2026, in the hospital where she had been treated, her family told Agence France-Presse on Saturday, 15 August. She leaves behind a 12-year-old son. Her mother, Sandra Milena Pérez, spoke to AFP by telephone, expressing the wish that her daughter's ordeal would end quickly. The family had watched Daniela endure nearly two days under the rubble, only for her to succumb days later in hospital.

I wish all this would end quickly.

Toll and ongoing rescue efforts

The earthquake has left at least 294 dead and nearly 4,000 injured, according to the latest provisional toll from the authorities. Six days after the disaster, rescue teams continued using heavy machinery to remove debris from roofs and walls in the worst-affected areas. Some residents embraced survivors to ease the pain of the tragedy, while others organised fundraisers for victims who have gathered in shelters. The search for the missing continued amid the rubble.

President asks Trump for tariff relief

Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, described as belonging to the hard right, asked his US counterpart Donald Trump on Saturday to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian exports. US tariffs on Colombian imports increased from 10% to 12.5% on 24 July, replacing a general tariff imposed earlier this year by the Trump administration, with exemptions for certain goods including coffee and oil. De la Espriella said he spoke with Trump for about ten minutes, during which Trump expressed condolences for the deaths caused by the earthquake.

I asked him to consider the temporary suspension of the high tariffs that affect Colombian products to relieve our entrepreneurs, who are going through a very difficult period because of the consequences of the earthquake.

De la Espriella described the conversation as "very friendly and cordial."