Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Hope Amid Tragedy: 583 Children Still Missing in Armero

11/14/2025

34 5

Summary

Story summary

On November 13, 1985, a Colombian eruption triggered a landslide that destroyed Armero and killed about 25,000.
Maria Gladys Primo, a disaster survivor who lost her children, remains hopeful they are alive.
The Creating Armero Foundation reports 583 missing children and 150 rescued, and only four reunions have occurred.
The Colombian Family Welfare Institute has faced criticism for poor record-keeping and is digitizing records to aid tracing.

1 of 1

Story summary

On November 13, 1985, a Colombian eruption triggered a landslide that destroyed Armero and killed about 25,000.
Maria Gladys Primo, a disaster survivor who lost her children, remains hopeful they are alive.
The Creating Armero Foundation reports 583 missing children and 150 rescued, and only four reunions have occurred.
The Colombian Family Welfare Institute has faced criticism for poor record-keeping and is digitizing records to aid tracing.