Colombia quake rescue efforts enter 'final phase' as toll hits 239

Bogota, Colombia declared three days of national mourning on Wednesday for the victims of a devastating earthquake that struck the country on Monday, killing at least 239 people. The powerful 7.4 magnitude quake, the strongest to hit Colombia in the current century, caused widespread destruction, particularly in the coffee-growing regions of the west. Over 3,700 families were left homeless according to the national disaster management agency.

The Colombian government paid tribute to the victims by lowering flags to half-staff on official buildings and at embassies abroad. Rescue efforts in the affected cities of Pereira and Cali intensified throughout the night, with emergency crews utilizing cranes, specially trained dogs, and heavy machinery to locate any remaining survivors.

Amid the grim search, a glimmer of hope emerged when 32-year-old Daniela Largo was pulled alive from the rubble of a hotel in Pereira after being trapped for 35 hours. Her mother, Sandra Milena Perez, expressed relief, saying, "We were losing hope and then we received a call."

As the window for finding survivors grew progressively narrower, local residents played a vital role in the rescue operation. One such resident heard cries for help beneath the rubble and alerted rescue teams, contributing to the ongoing efforts to save lives amidst the wreckage.