In brief
A Tik‑Tok‑style clip shows a Colombian family evacuating their home moments before a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake shook the region, the first such quake in the country this year. The mother, Liliana Pérez Ocampo, recounts how a mild tremor escalated into a full‑blown disaster, prompting her family to leave with two children in tow. The footage, shared on BBC World Service, underscores the fragility of ordinary homes amid Colombia’s seismic activity. With over 169 fatalities, the event ranks as the country’s strongest earthquake in the 21st century. Thankfully, all members of the Pérez family remain unharmed, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for preparedness.
Viral Footage of Family Running from Their Home
A short, grainy clip that began circulating on social media shows a quiet Colombian street as a family's door is kicked open, prompting parents and their two children to scramble out into the street in a desperate effort to escape an unpredicted tremor.
The footage was recorded by the eldest daughter of the Pérez family, who later communicated the story to the BBC World Service. “At first, we thought it was just a mild tremor like the ones that usually happen in Colombia,” the mother of four said, her voice edged in disbelief as 30 seconds of shaking culminated into a full‑scale 7.4‑magnitude earthquake.
The family, who had only two children attending school at the time, managed to reach the safety of an open courtyard; all four members emerged unharmed. “In the end, material things can be replaced,” she added, “the most important thing is life, and we have that.”
According to Colombia’s Geological Service, the quake, which struck Monday at 5:12 p.m. local time, is the strongest seen worldwide since the 21st century began. Local authorities reported at least 169 fatalities and thousands of injuries as the wakes of the quake poured through the city.
While the Pérez family’s story is one of survival, it also serves as a cautionary reminder: the faster a household evaluates its safety, the better the odds of avoiding tragedy. Mexico and Peru, neighbouring countries, have begun reinforcing structures and reviewing emergency protocols in their wake.
For more on the quake’s impact and updates on rescue efforts, follow BBC News’s latest coverage or check out the streamer’s own commentary on the live feed posted on their channel.
