BERGENFIELD, New Jersey — A mother’s final act was running back into a crumbling building for her child.
Magnolia, a Bergenfield resident, was visiting Colombia with her daughter when Monday’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck. The home they were staying in collapsed.
She got out. Then she went back in.
A Mother’s Last Moments
Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio confirmed the tragedy in a public statement, saying Magnolia re-entered the collapsed home in an effort to save her daughter.
She did not survive.
Her daughter — a recent Bergenfield High School graduate — made it out alive. She is currently hospitalized in Colombia with an arm injury.
The father, who had not traveled with them, learned of the disaster from thousands of miles away. He is now en route to Colombia.
A Community in Mourning
Mayor Amatorio addressed the loss directly, calling it an “unimaginable tragedy” for the family and the entire borough.
“Our hearts are with Magnolia’s family and loved ones,” he said. “The entire Bergenfield community mourns with them and is praying for the recovery of her daughter.”
Bergenfield is a close-knit borough in Bergen County. For many residents, this loss is personal.
The Scale of the Disaster
The earthquake that took Magnolia’s life has devastated western Colombia.
At least 265 people have been confirmed dead. More than 4,100 remain unaccounted for. Around 1,600 buildings across the region have been reported damaged or destroyed.
Soldiers, rescue workers, and volunteers have been passing heavy concrete slabs by hand, searching through rubble for survivors.
Aid Controversy Slows the Response
The disaster struck less than 72 hours after Colombia swore in its new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.
His decision to turn away international rescue teams has drawn sharp criticism. China’s ambassador publicly complained that he could not even identify which Colombian official was coordinating foreign assistance.
Rugged terrain, poor roads, and communication outages have made it harder to reach the hardest-hit areas. Local authorities believe the true death toll is far higher than the government’s official count.
A Daughter Who Will Carry This Forever
Magnolia did not hesitate. She went back in for her child.
Her daughter is alive because of that choice. A community is grieving because of that same moment.
The father is on his way. The borough is working to reach him and offer whatever support it can.
If you have family or friends affected by the Colombia earthquake, or want to share a message for the Bergenfield community, leave it in the comments below.