In quake-hit Cali, ‘hugs here’ station brings comfort amid rubble

No Comment Video. In quake-hit Cali, ‘hugs here’ station brings comfort amid rubble Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 14/08/2026 - 12:11 GMT+2 In quake-hit Cali, residents find comfort at a “hugs here” station, as Andres Solomon and volunteers share solidarity while rescuers clear rubble. As Cali recovers from the 7.4‑magnitude earthquake that struck on 10 August, 46‑year‑old local musician Andres Solomon has been offering free hugs to residents in the quake‑hit Capri neighbourhood. Sitting beneath the trees beside a cardboard sign reading “HUGS HERE” and “CHEER UP!”. Solomon says he wanted to offer emotional support alongside the material aid reaching the area, listening to people, embracing them and helping them release some of the pain of what he describes as a “collective trauma”. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Andres Solomon’s simple gesture has become a small but striking symbol of comfort amid the rubble and twisted metal, as residents, volunteers and community leaders gather nearby and rescue teams continue their search and recovery work. The earthquake, described as the strongest to hit Colombia this century, has killed at least 265 people and left communities dealing with loss and uncertainty. On 13 August, Solomon said people needed to face the reality of the disaster together, just as volunteers were working side by side to remove rubble. Lyda Arias, president of Colombia’s Evangelical Confederation, said the suffering was difficult to witness and called for both prayer and action. Colombia Cali Earthquake unusual Mental health natural disaster Top stories Now playing Next In quake-hit Cali, ‘hugs here’ station brings comfort amid rubble Now playing Next Colombia earthquake: Dog rescued alive as 72-hour window closes Now playing Next Unprecedented rainfall in Japan leaves at least four dead in Chiba prefecture Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 14th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next US pushes back on mental health crisis reports on USS Abraham Lincoln Now playing Next France wildfire forces 525 people to flee as Landes forest burns Now playing Next Wildfire forces evacuation of 1,000 as flames sweep Croatia’s coast Now playing Next Explosion at Dutch port of Rotterdam leaves one dead, police say Now playing Next Poland detains Russian over 'execution' plot in Warsaw, PM Tusk says Now playing Next Japan slams Putin following first visit to disputed Kuril islands Now playing Next Brussels unveils giant flower carpet inspired by Hokusai masterpiece Now playing Next Russian drone attack strikes second passenger train in Ukraine Now playing Next Amid the Ceuta crisis, how do EU citizens view refugees? Now playing Next Spain extends Almaraz nuclear plant operations to 2030, delaying closure by three years Now playing Next 'Wall of fire' forces sea evacuation in Greece as wildfires continue across Europe Now playing Next Child's play: French artist Saype's giant ephemeral frescoes takeover Swiss alpine resort ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment One dead, several injured in Rotterdam port blast at Gunvor refinery No Comment Brussels unveils giant flower carpet inspired by Hokusai masterpiece No Comment Putin watches Russian navy drills off Russia's Sakhalin Island No Comment Russian drone strikes passenger train in Odesa region, killing driver Europe News Poland thwarts unprecedented plot by Russia to kill Ukrainian-US citizen in a NATO country, PM Tusk says Europe News Explosion at Dutch port of Rotterdam leaves one dead and several injured, police say Health news Trump’s vaccine overhaul could fuel mistrust and leave Europe vulnerable to disease resurgence Europe News Romania shuts off second reactor at Cernavodă NPP amid low water levels on Danube Europe News Russian forces strike second passenger train in Ukraine's Odesa region Cinema Euronews Culture's Film of the Week: 'The End Of Oak Street' - Putting the Jurassic World franchise to shame Europe News Aerial footage captures total solar eclipse over Spain No Comment Soaring stingray numbers off California beaches drive record injuries ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Timelapse of partial solar eclipse seen from Royal Observatory Greenwich Japan Tokyo issues angry response as Putin makes his first visit to the disputed Kuril islands No Comment Colombia: "scene of horror" as Pereira rescuers search rubble Europe News Hikers in awe as solar eclipse turns sky red over French Pyrenees No Comment Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse No Comment Rare eclipse plunges parts of Europe into darkness Europe News Tourist guides raise the alarm as Europe braces for another heatwave USA Trump hails 'wall of steel' blockade, says US will keep control of Strait of Hormuz ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT