Nurses save children during strong earthquake at hospital

On August 20, 2026, healthcare professionals faced moments of great tension during a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia. The seismic tremor caused deaths and severe material damage, striking the University Hospital of Valle in Cali.

The impact of the tremor on the hospital

The earthquake began at 7:34 a.m. on a Monday, just as shifts were changing. Nurse Lady Gallego, coordinator of the pediatrics department, tried to remain calm amidst the growing panic. The established priority was the evacuation of all pediatric patients, which included newborns and youths up to 17 years old.

The walls began to crack, power failed, and the environment filled with thick dust. One of the hospital's towers suffered a partial collapse, affecting critical areas where premature babies in delicate condition were hospitalized.

The complex evacuation of the units

Entire teams rushed down stairwells carrying babies, children, and even entire beds with patients lying on them. The pediatric and neonatal intensive care units required extra caution due to the use of ventilators and mechanical ventilation.

In another area of the building, anesthesiologist Claudia Komaromi remained in an operating room protecting a 63-year-old patient with a brain tumor who could not be moved during the tremor. The collaborative effort included the support of administrative staff, who assisted in transporting equipment and oxygen.

Solidarity and care in improvised areas

After the tremor stopped, more than 100 professionals participated in the response at the hospital. Improvised urgent care areas and emergency operating rooms were set up to treat the injured outdoors.

Management succeeded in relocating patients to a safe zone on the first floor hours later. Gallego highlighted the strong unity and solidarity demonstrated by colleagues and the community during the emergency.

With information from BBC Mundo.