Ana María Saavedra, one of triplet sisters, has been identified as the only survivor from her family after a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, causing a four-story apartment building to collapse. The earthquake, which hit Monday, claimed the lives of her sisters, Sofía and Isabella, her parents, Jairo Saavedra and Victoria Caicedo, and her uncle, Diego Caicedo.
Carlos Saavedra, brother of Jairo Saavedra, told Semana news magazine that Ana María was found by rescue workers beneath a door shortly after the building collapsed. "The door protected her from the debris," he said.
According to Ana María's account relayed by her uncle, she was exiting the apartment when the earthquake struck. The apartment door, made of cedar, fell on top of her, shielding her from the larger debris. She was injured but managed to call out, and neighbors assisted in her rescue after the building tilted forward. She was taken to a local clinic and underwent surgery for a pelvic fracture.
Search efforts continued for her siblings. Sofía, the second-born triplet, was recovered from the rubble four hours after Ana María was found. Isabella, the third triplet, was found later on Thursday evening.
Family members had held onto hope for Isabella's survival, but she was also recovered as deceased. Carlos Saavedra confirmed that five members of his immediate family perished in the tragedy, stating, "The truth is that Ana María … she was the lucky one."
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported on Saturday that the earthquake has resulted in at least 294 confirmed deaths and 3,935 injuries, with 320 people still missing. A photograph shared by the family shows the triplets celebrating their college graduation in April 2025 with their parents.