Importance of the Armorer Tragedy

It was a devastating earthquake that occurred on January 25, 1999, classified as 6.4 in the Richter scale, which produced 1,900 fatalities and impressive material damage, at its epicenter: the Colombian departments of Quindío and Risaralda, in the region known as Eje Coffee, because the areas that compose it are dedicated to the economic exploitation of coffee, this being its main commercial activity and its support in this aspect.

A natural catastrophe that devastated states and cities and sowed chaos

Although the entire area felt the horrific tremor that lasted 28 seconds, the city of Armenia suffered the most in all respects: in human casualties and property damage.

As it happens with high-grade earthquakes, some 14 aftershocks were counted, the same day there was a 5.2, also very damaging, and the following days others of less intensity.

Fear seized the inhabitants of the area who did not stop being alert until the threat dissipated.

To the gravity of the case, due to the thousands of fatalities, injuries, and property damage, it was necessary to add the difficulty of the tasks of rescue and assistance in the event of the collapse of the buildings of the security forces, health, and civil defense, among others.

The tragedy continued in crescendo due to the prevailing disorder that arose due to the inaction of the mentioned organisms.

Robberies, looting, and even confrontations between the survivors to get food, water, and lodging, that were scarce, unleashed a situation and a series of damage that took years to recover and be solved.

The chaos reached such a point that many survivors were lost due to shock and the impossibility of recognizing their houses that had been totally destroyed.

Losing It All: A Region Paralyzed And Frightened

Communications that are so essential in these cases were completely suspended due to the damage to their systems.

The regional economy also collapsed due to the almost total destruction of coffee plantations; the almost only economic pillar was also devastated by the earthquake.

Banks, warehouses, and all the shops and organizations that gave proper functioning to life in those departments were paralyzed for a long time. time.

The most affected constructions were the oldest and those that were subjected to some modification without the proper protection and control of a specialized agent.

Another cause that encouraged the disaster more was that the epicenter occurred very close to the region and that made the impact more felt.

The area had suffered tremors, but more distant, which did not produce this immediate devastation.

Raise a city from the rubble

The reconstruction demanded a lot of human and economic effort.

As always, kindness and altruism of a large part of the local and international community were decisive for the tasks of reconstruction and thanks to the creation of a reparation fund that facilitated the arrival of money and humanitarian assistance.

Although in most cases these natural disasters are difficult to foresee, what can be done is to prepare as effectively as possible.

And so did the most attacked city, renovating buildings and reconditioning everything that could be improved.

Unfortunately, at the time it happened, the buildings did not have the proper preparation to deal with this type of natural catastrophe and that is why the damage was enormous.

The tragedy served so that the state debate and generate regulations that protect and anticipate these unexpected events, proposing solutions.

After the fact, a more effective earthquake resistant code was established, than the one that was in force, and dated from the year 1983.