On Nov. 13, 1985, a volcanic eruption sent an enormous mudslide through the village of Armero, Colombia, trapping 13-year-old Omayra Sánchez in the debris. She was immediately pinned down by the wreckage of her own house, with only her head and arms above the floodwaters.
For almost three days, rescuers tried in vain to free her as she slowly succumbed to gangrene and hypothermia in the water. Finally, on Nov. 16, she passed away as helpless relief workers watched from mere feet away.
Just before she died, photographer Frank Fournier captured this haunting image. Fournier later recalled that he “felt totally powerless in front of this little girl, who was facing death with courage and dignity.”
