A Bergenfield family and church community are mourning the loss of Magnolia Garcia Lugo, who relatives and church leaders say died while trying to save one of her daughters during a powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction in Colombia.

Local Reaction

In a family photo, Lugo is shown surrounded by her three daughters. According to family members and church leaders, she escaped as her home collapsed but ran back inside to save her daughter Natalia. A wall then fell on top of her.

Oscar Fernando Castro, assistant pastor at Mercy Church of God, said Lugo’s brother is a Church of God pastor in Colombia and helped search for her after the collapse.

Church leaders said the Lugo family has been involved with the congregation for decades. Castro said he has helped oversee the church for 30 years and described the family as longtime members of the congregation.

Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio said borough officials are prepared to assist the family.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.