A heartbreaking story has emerged from Colombia following the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the western part of the country on August 10.

Colombian lawyer Lenny Ruiz died after shielding her 12-year-old blind dog, Salomón, with her body when the building collapsed in Cali. Rescuers later found Salomón alive beneath the rubble, protected by Lenny's final act of love.

Salomón, who suffers from epilepsy that left him blind, was later reunited with Lenny's family. In an especially emotional moment, the dog was brought to Lenny's coffin to say goodbye, with footage of Salomón sitting on top of the coffin spreading across social media.

Colombia Earthquake: Woman Dies Protecting Her Blind Dog Under Rubble | Heartbreaking Final Goodbye

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, triggering a massive rescue operation as emergency teams race to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Nearly 250 people have reportedly been killed, while thousands remain missing or unaccounted for in some of the hardest-hit areas. Rescue teams in Pereira, Cali and other affected regions are working around the clock using sniffer dogs, heavy machinery, cameras, radar and seismic sensors.

In one dramatic rescue, crews pulled a 32-year-old woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Pereira, prompting cheers and applause from exhausted rescuers and volunteers.

The earthquake has caused widespread destruction, with more than 1,600 buildings reportedly damaged or collapsed. Hospitals, airports and major highways have also been affected, while aftershocks have forced many survivors to sleep outdoors in makeshift shelters.

Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Race to Find Survivors as Death Toll Nears 250

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Colombia Earthquake: Woman Dies Protecting Her Blind Dog Under Rubble | Heartbreaking Final Goodbye

Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Race to Find Survivors as Death Toll Nears 250