Colombia Earthquake Rescue Shifts to Recovery as Hopes Fade
Hundreds remain missing following Monday’s magnitude 7.4 quake, with authorities in the epicentre region transitioning from search and rescue to recovery operations.
Rescue operations in Colombia have entered a critical transition phase following a powerful earthquake on Monday, with authorities shifting their focus from saving survivors to recovering bodies. As the critical 72-hour window for locating survivors beneath collapsed structures closes, hopes of finding people alive are rapidly fading across the affected regions.
Families in cities near the epicentre, particularly Cali, have begun conducting independent searches for their loved ones amidst the rubble. While official rescue teams are reorienting their efforts toward recovery, many relatives are taking matters into their own hands, driven by the uncertainty surrounding hundreds of missing persons.
The disaster, registered as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, has caused significant devastation in the region. Cali and Pereira have reported substantial casualties, with infrastructure damage widespread. The situation has been described by observers as the final phase of immediate rescue efforts, marking a somber turn in the national response.
In response to the scale of the destruction, President Abelardo de La Espriella has declared a three-day national mourning period. The administration has also announced an economic emergency, pledging an emergency fund to support the rebuilding of infrastructure and assist those displaced by the quake.
Previous reports indicate the severity of the impact, with a death toll reaching 265 and over 3,500 people wounded. More than 9,550 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands without shelter. The exact number of those still missing remains fluid, though estimates suggest hundreds are unaccounted for as the recovery effort intensifies.
