World News for Students of English

14-09-2023 15:00

Sisters Lorena Sanchez and Jacqueline Vasquez Sanchez were aged three and nine when the Tolima Volcano in Columbia erupted and devastated their town in November, 1985.

The volcano left more than 20,000 people dead and many victims were never identified. The catastrophe separated the sisters and they were put up for adoption after authorities believed that they had lost their family.

Decades later, Jacqueline saw a Facebook video, which featured her younger sister Lorena making an appeal for information on surviving family members. Jacqueline eventually was able to track down her sister.

Now, the sisters are trying to find out what happened to their parents, but despite public appeals, the search has been unsuccessful. They also have 30 years of catching up to do! Lorena said that the moment of their reunion was beautiful and sad at the same time.

Difficult words: catastrophe (a very negative event), authorities (leaders), appeal (a request), feature (to have), track down (to find).

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