Hero Doctor Saves Two Newborns During Colombia Earthquake
During the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, 2026, pediatrician Germán Somoyar evacuated two newborn babies from the sixth floor of Clínica Panamericana in Apartadó, Antioquia. According to ACI Prensa and Noticias Telemundo, the seismic event resulted in 234 confirmed deaths across the country, prompting swift medical evacuations amid widespread infrastructure strain.
Emergency Evacuation at Clínica Panamericana
The ground began shaking during morning shifts at the medical center in Apartadó, Antioquia. According to coverage by ACI Prensa, the intense tremors caused immediate panic throughout the facility. Pediatrician Germán Somoyar was on duty on the sixth floor when the shaking started, prompting staff and patients to evacuate the building.
Realizing that some parents and nursing staff were immobilized by fear, Somoyar acted quickly. As reported by Noticias Telemundo and referenced by ACI Prensa, the doctor stated, “In my labor always the children have priority one hundred percent absolute.” He checked rooms where mothers were paralyzed by fear, guided them toward safety, and then rushed to the neonatal unit.
Carrying two infants down six flights of stairs to the street, Somoyar completed the rescue alongside colleagues and patients. Venezuelan Informa Hoy noted that the infants were symbolically named Mateo and Salomón to protect their privacy during the chaotic aftermath.
Widespread Devastation and Casualties Across Colombia
The earthquake struck the western region of Colombia with a magnitude of 7.4, leaving severe structural damage and heavy casualties in its wake. According to official figures cited by ACI Prensa, the disaster caused 234 deaths nationwide. Urban centers absorbed the highest impact, with Cali recording 95 fatalities and Pereira registering 72 deaths.
Disasters of this scale expose vulnerabilities in municipal infrastructure, leaving hospitals and residential zones grappling with structural assessments and urgent repairs.
The Response to Crisis in Healthcare Facilities
Emergency protocols in medical institutions are severely tested during high-magnitude seismic events. Somoyar described the scene to journalist Andrés Rendón, as reported by Venezuelan Informa Hoy, noting that he went “where the necessity was greater” when the camillas began to shake. The rapid coordination among medical personnel at Clínica Panamericana prevented further tragedy in the neonatal ward.
Recovery efforts across Antioquia and other hard-hit departments continue as municipal authorities assess damaged public works. Securing structural safety and ensuring continuity of critical health services remain the primary focus for regional administrators following one of the deadliest seismic events in recent years.