State of the World from NPR Searching for Survivors 40 Years After One of Latin America’s Deadliest Disasters
Nov 13, 2025
John Otis, an NPR reporter, revisits the haunting aftermath of the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz disaster in Armero, Colombia, where mudslides claimed thousands of lives. He shares poignant stories from survivors like Fernando Angarita, who recalls the devastation and his own narrow escape. The conversation explores heartbreaking searches for missing children, with deeply symbolic rituals, including survivors launching model boats in memory of the lost. Otis highlights personal stories of hope, like Mariela Diaz’s emotional pilgrimage seeking her brother, encapsulating the enduring impact of this tragedy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Survivor Thrown Miles By Devastating Mudslide
- Fernando Angarita describes being carried nearly four miles by the mudslide and suffering 16 facial fractures.
- He compares the experience to "being inside a blender" and says he has no idea why he's still alive.
Visitor Compares Armero To Pompeii
- Visitor Esther Voraesvik from the Netherlands said Armero felt more moving than Pompeii because it remains unrenovated.
- She said the town's preserved ruins make the tragedy feel real and powerful.
The Shrine Of Omaida Sanchez
- Omaida Sanchez, age 13, was found trapped in water and spoke to TV journalists while rescuers tried to save her.
- She died after 70 hours in the water and is venerated by many Colombians as an unofficial saint.