Colombian Earthquake Survivor Recounts Terrorful Night in Tallulah

In a morning interview on Freedom 106.5 FM, the show host welcomed resident Wayne Mohan of Tallulah for a first-hand account of the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia and was felt across the border in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mohan explained that he was on vacation in Colombia with his wife, Katrin Mohan, when the quake hit. The couple had been staying near the city of Philadelphia in the Seysin area, roughly 2.5 hours from the epicentre that also affected the major cities of Cali and Perida. He described waking at around 02:00 a.m. to a low rumble that quickly escalated into a violent shaking lasting about two minutes.

“The window started vibrating, the noise grew louder, and then the whole house moved,” Mohan recalled. “I ran to wake my daughter, heard my wife screaming downstairs, and we all scrambled to the front door.”

During the quake, the family experienced:

• The house shaking and walls rattling, with cracks forming in the foyer.
• Power lines sparking, transformers exploding, and surrounding houses echoing with screams.
• A profound sense of fear that lasted the full two-minute duration of the tremor.

After the shaking ceased, Mohan and his family inspected their home. Apart from minor cracks and scattered household items—motorcycles, bicycles, pots, and toiletries lying on the floor—the damage was relatively limited. The neighborhood, while showing some debris, avoided widespread destruction.

Mohan noted the immediate aftermath:

• Electricity and internet services were knocked out, leaving the area isolated.
• He and his wife prepared food and planned to join rescue teams delivering water, food, and other aid.
• Later, he rode his motorcycle around the community, observing the scattered belongings and confirming that most homes remained structurally sound.

He admitted the experience left him with lingering anxiety, a rapid heartbeat, and a lingering sense of vulnerability, but also a resolve to help neighbors rebuild.

The interview concluded with Mohan expressing gratitude for the volunteers and rescue workers responding to the disaster, while emphasizing the importance of community solidarity in the wake of such natural events.