Magnolia Garcia Lugo had already made it out of the collapsing home. Then she realized her daughter was still inside — and went back for her.
BERGENFIELD, NJ — A Bergenfield mother of three is being remembered for her final act of courage after she died while trying to save her daughter during the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, August 10.
Magnolia Garcia Lugo, 57, was visiting Colombia with members of her family when the home where they were staying began to collapse.
Family members and church leaders say Magnolia managed to escape.
But her daughter Natalia was still inside.
Magnolia went back.
A wall collapsed on them before she could make it out again. Magnolia died beneath the rubble, while Natalia survived with an arm injury and was taken to a hospital.
Her Brother Helped Search the Rubble
The tragedy quickly became deeply personal for Magnolia’s family.
Church officials said Magnolia’s brother, a pastor in Colombia, joined the search after the collapse and helped look through the debris.
He eventually found his sister, but she had already died.
Natalia, a recent graduate of Bergenfield High School, survived the earthquake and was recovering from her injuries.
Bergenfield Mourns One of Its Own
The loss has also been felt thousands of miles away in Bergenfield.
Mayor Arvin Amatorio said borough officials are prepared to support the Garcia Lugo family as they cope with the tragedy.
Magnolia and her daughters had been longtime members of Mercy Church of God in Bergenfield, where church leaders described her death as a devastating loss for the congregation.
Her family had been involved with the church for decades, and Magnolia herself had been an active member for many years.
She had built her life in New Jersey while maintaining close ties to Colombia, where she was laid to rest.
A Disaster Felt From Colombia to New Jersey
The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning and caused widespread destruction across several regions.
As of Friday, authorities reported at least 285 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries, with hundreds of people still missing. Homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings were damaged or destroyed across the affected areas.
For one Bergenfield family, however, those enormous numbers have become painfully personal.
Magnolia Garcia Lugo had already escaped the danger.
She chose to go back for her daughter.
And in the final moments of her life, she made the choice so many parents believe they would make without hesitation — she went back for her child.
Sources: ABC7 New York; Associated Press; Reuters; Borough of Bergenfield.
By NJ RADAR Team