Photographer behind haunting image of girl trapped in volcanic mudflow reveals why he didn’t save her

The image shocked people around the world

In 1985, Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Armero, Columbia erupted. 20,000 residents died in the South American nation as a mixture of volcanic lava and ice – called lahar – rushed into the river valleys and entered the villages.

13-year-old Omayra Sánchez Garzón tragically passed away after getting trapped in the debris caused by a mudslide for 60 hours.

Though several attempts were made to rescue the teenager, according to The Sun, her legs were trapped under a door and her deceased aunt’s arms clutched tightly round her legs and feet.

Each time rescuers tried to pull her free, more water pooled around her and there were fears she would drown if they let her go.

They placed a tire around her to keep her afloat and gave her sweet food and soda during her last few hours.

The teen shared a heart-breaking message on camera before she closed her eyes for the final time saying: “Mummy, I love you so much, Daddy I love you, brother I love you.”

She passed away on November 16 with her cause of death believed to be either gangrene or hypothermia.

A haunting photograph captured by French photographer Frank Fournier, grabbed people’s attention around the world.

In an interview with the BBC in 2005, Fournier opened up about the photograph and answered the question of why he didn’t help the young girl saying it was ‘impossible’ to rescue her.

He said: “There was an outcry - debates on television on the nature of the photojournalist, how much he or she is a vulture.

“But I felt the story was important for me to report and I was happier that there was some reaction; it would have been worse if people had not cared about it.

“I am very clear about what I do and how I do it, and I try to do my job with as much honesty and integrity as possible.”

The image helped to raise money from around the world for aid and Fournier believes it raised awareness of the ‘irresponsibility and lack of courage of the country's leaders’.

“There was an obvious lack of leadership. There were no evacuation plans, yet scientists had foreseen the catastrophic extent of the volcano's eruption. People still find the picture disturbing.”

He added: “I was lucky that I could act as a bridge to link people with her. It's the magic of the thing.”