Body of DJ Catalina Ortiz recovered after earthquake

On August 21, 2026, emergency response organizations concluded intensive debris removal operations at the Vanessa building, located in Cali. The operation led to the recovery of the body of 30-year-old Catalina Ortiz Echeverry, who worked as a DJ and content creator.

End of operations at the Vanessa building

The young woman's body was the last to be removed from the large structure. Five concrete slabs were resting on top of Catalina, which required the use of heavy machinery and cranes to lift the beams and locate her whereabouts. She had been missing since the earthquake that struck the country.

Joint effort by specialized teams

The complex task was carried out in a coordinated manner. Participants included the Cali Fire Department, the National Army, and specialized rescue teams, which included a delegation from the Israeli forces. At the same location, days earlier, the body of her romantic partner, producer and DJ Juan David Cano Pabón, was also recovered.

Official toll of victims and injured

Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed the recovery of the last body, marking the end of the search, rescue, and recovery phase. The toll in the city records 150 fatalities, 88 people rescued alive, and more than 1,500 injured, with 140 bodies already having been handed over to their families.

National impact of the seismic disaster

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, in Chocó. Nationwide, the latest report indicates 321 fatalities, 4,595 injured, 257 missing, and 364 rescued. In addition, 163,884 homes suffered damage, 31,445 were destroyed, and 467 buildings collapsed throughout the affected territory.

With information from El Colombiano.