Colombia enters final rescue phase as earthquake death toll hits 265

Colombian rescue teams have entered the 'final phase' of their operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, as the critical 72-hour window for locating survivors beneath collapsed structures has elapsed. Despite the fading hope of finding living victims, search and retrieval efforts continue across the affected regions, marking a significant shift in the government's disaster response strategy.

The disaster has resulted in at least 265 deaths, with more than 3,500 people injured. Preliminary reports indicate that significant casualties have been concentrated in the cities of Pereira and Cali. Approximately 500 individuals remain unaccounted for, leaving authorities to manage a complex logistical challenge as they navigate the rubble of destroyed infrastructure.

The scale of the destruction is substantial, with more than 9,550 homes reported as destroyed. The widespread damage to housing and critical infrastructure has prompted an immediate economic response from the state. President Abelardo de La Espriella has pledged an emergency fund dedicated specifically to the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, acknowledging the long-term fiscal implications of the event.

In response to the crisis, President de La Espriella has declared a three-day national mourning period. This declaration accompanies the formal announcement of an economic emergency, signalling the government's intent to mobilise resources rapidly. The measures represent the first major policy test for the new administration since taking office.

While the official designation of the 'final phase' suggests a transition from active rescue to recovery and retrieval, authorities caution that casualty figures remain preliminary. The death toll is expected to rise as search operations persist in hard-to-reach areas, and the exact number of survivors remaining in the rubble remains unknown.