Search and rescue operations in Colombia reached a critical turning point on Thursday morning, as teams entered what officials described as the final phase of efforts to locate survivors. The 72-hour window, widely considered the period when individuals are most likely to be found alive beneath rubble, concluded on Thursday following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck earlier this week.
This event stands as the strongest quake to hit Colombia this century.
President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed the scale of the tragedy, stating that the quake has resulted in 265 deaths and left nearly 3,500 people injured. Official figures indicate that almost 500 people remain missing, though civilian-run databases suggest that number could exceed 4,100.
In total, approximately 26,000 families have been impacted by the disaster, with over 11,000 homes destroyed, leaving thousands of residents homeless.
During a press conference in Bogotá, Colombia's capital, de la Espriella told journalists, "Our efforts are focused on the disappeared." He has declared an economic emergency and announced three days of national mourning, vowing that the nation will "do what is necessary" to "emerge again as a country and as a society."
In the city of Pereira, rescue crews focused their efforts on a collapsed bakery where they believe a street vendor trapped since Monday's earthquake may still be alive beneath the rubble. Using vibration-detecting equipment, rescuers detected possible signs of life from Pablo Loaiza, leading to emotional scenes as relatives gathered nearby.
His 16-year-old niece, Sara Loaiza, described the tension, stating, "My heart is about to burst out of my chest." Relatives reported that the man appeared to respond when rescuers asked him to knock twice, then three times from beneath the rubble, an action that drew applause from those gathered at the scene.
Volunteer rescuer Johana Sanchez noted that every half hour, they make everyone be quiet to see if they can find people alive, adding that so far, three people have been pulled out alive and three dead at that location.
Meanwhile, in Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that rescue efforts were transitioning into their final stage. Residents like Martha Perez, who has two relatives believed to be trapped, expressed feelings of helplessness while telling AFP on Wednesday night, "We will hold on to (hope) until the very end." Volunteer rescuer Fernando Loaiza added, "All of us here—the entire city of Cali—are hoping to find more survivors."
The disaster has displaced many, with citizens spending consecutive nights outdoors due to damaged property or fears of aftershocks. In Roldanillo, Yuliana Mendez picked through the wreckage of the beauty products store where she worked, noting, "It's like starting over from scratch." In Pereira’s Providencia neighborhood, residents including lawyer Ana Paulina Crosthwaite are struggling with the reality of having to abandon damaged homes.
"We're in a state of shock," she told AFP. "We're not prepared to tell our children that we have to pack whatever we can and start a new life."
A massive mobilization effort is underway, with citizens donating blood and providing food and water to affected areas. Blood donor Ferney Cabrera remarked, "It's about wanting to help your community, your city and your country." International support has also been pledged, with the United States announcing $15.5 million in emergency aid and the European Union committing 2 million euros, or approximately $2.3 million.
