NATURAL DISASTER

NATURAL DISASTER



The Armero tragedy is the worst natural disaster in the history of Colombia. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted on November 13, 1985. After 69 years of calm eruption surprised the city while the Government had received warnings to evacuate the area.  Rocks and hot ash melted mountain glaciers and caused landslides with rubble of rocks, trees and mud.  Died more than 20,000 inhabitants.     The story will never forget the Colombians is the death of Omayra Sánchez, a young victim of tragedy, its slow death was transmitted around the world.   Relief workers were horrified by the landscape of fallen trees, disfigured human bodies and lots of houses destroyed.  The day of the eruption, made several attempts to escape, but a severe storm restricted communications. Many victims were left in their homes, according to instructions received from authorities, believing that the eruption was over.   To counter this threat, the Colombian Government established a specialized Office to promote the prevention of natural disasters.