Bergen County Mom Dies Shielding Daughter From Colombia Earthquake, Fundraiser Set

BERGENFIELD, NJ — A Bergen County community is rallying around a family whose lost their mother in Monday's 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia.

Magnolia Garcia Lugo ran back into a vacation home on Monday to save her daughter — a recent Bergenfield High School graduate — said Bergenfield's mayor this week.

Mayor Arvin Amatory wrote on social media, "Her daughter, a recent Bergenfield High School graduate, survived the collapse and is currently hospitalized with an arm injury. The father, who did not travel with them, is en route to Colombia. and the Borough is working to reach him and provide support."

Bergenfield Councilman Hernando Rivera, who's originally from Colombia, is trying to get more information and help out, Amatory said.

The most recent report from Columbia's president said at least 281 people died in the quake, 379 are missing, and more than 13,000 homes have been destroyed, ABC reported.

"As details remain preliminary, we ask that the family’s privacy be respected," the mayor said. "Our hearts are with Magnolia’s family and loved ones. The entire Bergenfield community mourns with them and is praying for the recovery of her daughter and strength for the family during this unimaginable tragedy."

Lugo, 57, was a mother of three daughters. Her brother, a pastor at Mercy Church of God in Bergenfield, found her in the rubble, reports said.

More Details

A GoFundMe for the family had raised more than $20,000 by the weekend.

"Our dear friend Natalia Jaramillo-Garcia and her family were vacationing and were unfortunately affected by the recent earthquake," said the friend who set up the page. "One of the cities affected was Zarzal. Their home was destroyed, they lost nearly everything they owned, and most painfully, Natalia and her sisters lost their beloved mother in this heartbreaking tragedy."

The page can be found here.