1986 Photo Contest, Spot News, 1st prize
Photographer

Frank Fournier

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16 November, 1985

Armero, Colombia Omayra Sanchez (12) is trapped in the debris from the Nevado del Ruíz volcano eruption. While rescue workers, who could not reach her, were waiting for materials to arrive, she eventually lost consciousness and died of a heart attack. On 13 November 1985, the Nevado del Ruíz, a 5,000-meter-high volcano in the Los Nevados National Park, erupted. The explosion produced several flows of mud and debris, which raced down the slopes of the volcano and through the river valleys. The town of Armero was swallowed, killing 25,000 people.

About the photographer

Frank Fournier

Frank Fournier (Saint-Sever, France, 1948) completed several years of medical training before he decided to become a professional photographer. In 1975, he moved to New York City...

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