Rescuers raced against time as the 72-hour survival window closed after a magnitude 7.4 quake struck Colombia, killing 265 people, injuring over 3,500 and leaving nearly 500 missing. Teams in Cali, Pereira and other cities conducted painstaking searches through collapsed buildings while civilians mobilized to provide aid. The government declared an economic emergency and three days of national mourning, and the US and EU announced emergency assistance.
Colombia Enters Final Search Phase After Devastating 7.4 Quake — 265 Dead
A rescuer sits on the rubble of a collapsed building in Cali, Colombia, which was hit by the strongest quake this century (JOAQUIN SARMIENTO)
Rescuers across Colombia intensified desperate search efforts early Thursday as the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors drew to a close after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake — the strongest to strike the country this century. Authorities say the quake has claimed 265 lives, injured more than 3,500 people and left nearly 500 unaccounted for.
Emergency teams in cities including Cali and Pereira worked through a third night using their hands, cranes and sniffer dogs to comb through collapsed buildings, pausing frequently to listen for any signs of life. Thursday morning marked roughly 72 hours since the tremor, the period when people trapped beneath rubble are most likely to be rescued alive.
Scenes From The Ground
In Cali, resident Martha Perez described feeling "helpless" as two relatives were believed to remain trapped. "We will hold on to hope until the very end," she told AFP. Volunteer rescuer Fernando Loaiza said the entire city was praying to find more survivors.
In Pereira, crews concentrated on a collapsed bakery where a street vendor may still be alive. Rescuers using vibration-detection equipment reported possible responses from Pablo Loaiza, prompting anxious relatives to gather and applaud when they heard taps from beneath the debris. Volunteer rescuer Johana Sanchez said teams enforce quiet periods every half hour to listen for knocks or movement. "So far, three people have been pulled out alive and three dead," she said.
Impact And Response
Officials report more than 11,000 dwellings destroyed and thousands of families rendered homeless. Many residents have spent consecutive nights outdoors — either because their homes were unsafe or because they fear aftershocks. In Roldanillo, Yuliana Mendez sifted through the ruins of the beauty-products shop where she worked, calling it "like starting over from scratch." In Pereira's Providencia neighborhood, residents removed furniture and household goods from buildings deemed unsafe.
Colombia's newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared an "economic emergency" and instituted three days of national mourning. "We will do what is necessary," he said, pledging the country will recover.
Thousands of Colombians mobilized to help neighbors, bringing water, food and supplies, while long lines formed at blood donation centers. International support has begun to arrive: the United States announced $15.5 million in emergency aid and the European Union pledged €2 million (about $2.3 million).
Note: Numbers and details reflect official reports at the time of publishing and may be updated as rescue operations continue.
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