This is the last smiling photograph of a group of children before two of them were swept away by a sudden surge in a river as their mothers jumped in to try to rescue them and also lost their lives.
The tragedy happened on 9th August in the municipality of Salazar de las Palmas, in the department of Norte de Santander, Colombia.
In the image, the children beam at the camera as they stand waist-deep in the water, some giving thumbs-up signs, moments before the disaster struck.
Video footage from the scene shows families playing in the river amidst a strong current.
According to local reports, the current carried away 10-year-old Isabela Velandia Cristancho and 11-year-old Danny Stewar Burbano Gauta.
Their mothers, 33-year-old Mariela Cristancho Bautista and 50-year-old Rudi Esperanza Gauta, went in after them.
Despite frantic rescue efforts from people on the shore and emergency teams, all four were later found dead downstream.
Authorities said the families were from the municipality of Los Patios and had been in Salazar de las Palmas to attend a children's festival earlier in the day.
A third woman, named as 46-year-old Gloria Patricia Gonzalez, also died in the same incident. Three other people were rescued alive and given medical treatment.
Police said the victims' bodies were recovered after the river returned to normal flow and taken to Nuestra Senora de Belen hospital for formal identification before being returned to relatives.
The Jean Piaget School, where the two children studied, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the deaths and offering condolences to the bereaved families.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
NewsX-FestSwim-01.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows the last photo taken shortly before the flooding, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-02.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Rudi Esperanza Gauta and Danny Stewart Burbano Gauta, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-03.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Mariela Cristancho Bautista and Isabela Velandia Cristancho, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-04.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Mariela Cristancho Bautista and Isabela Velandia Cristancho, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-05.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows teams during the rescue, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-06.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Rudi Esperanza Gauta and Danny Stewart Burbano Gauta, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-07.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Isabela Velandia Cristancho, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-08.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Mariela Cristancho Bautista, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-09.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Video shows the Salazar River after the flooding, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-10.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Video shows the Salazar River after the flooding, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-FestSwim-01.mp4 Video Copyright: Newsflash/NX Video Caption: Caption: Video shows the Salazar River after the flooding, undated. At least five people died in Salazar de las Palmas, Colombia, on Aug.9, 2025.***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsflash.media
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic
Byline Copychecker: Marija Stojkoska
Byline Illustrator: Marija Stojkoska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Salazar_de_las_Palmas
Subject: Accidents, Accidents In Water, Accidents Involving People
