Colombia's rescue operations following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake on Monday, the strongest to hit the country this century, have entered what officials describe as the "final phase." As of Wednesday, the death toll has reached 265, with over 3,500 injured and nearly 500 people still missing, according to local authorities.

Rescue crews are approaching the critical 72-hour mark since the quake, a period during which survivors are most likely to be found alive beneath collapsed buildings. Efforts are focused in cities like Pereira, where crews are searching a collapsed bakery for a street vendor believed to be trapped, and Cali, the worst-hit city.

Using vibration-detecting equipment, rescuers have picked up possible signs of life from Pablo Loaiza, prompting anxious relatives, including his 16-year-old niece Sara Loaiza, to gather at the site. Relatives reported that the trapped man appeared to respond to knocks from beneath the rubble.

Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated, "We're entering the final phase," emphasizing the urgency of the rescue efforts. Fire department official Camilo Cano from Bogota told Reuters that police restrictions on volunteer numbers have helped organize the rescue work, reducing noise and vibrations to improve sensor effectiveness.

The disaster has destroyed more than 11,000 homes, leaving thousands homeless. President de La Espriella has promised to establish an emergency fund to aid in rebuilding destroyed hospitals and schools.

Blood donor Ferney Cabrera expressed the spirit of community support, saying, "It's about wanting to help your community, your city and your country."

Sources