Colombia rescuers find woman alive after earthquake

In Colombia, rescuers discovered a 32-year-old woman alive amidst the rubble of a collapsed building, drawing cheers and applause from the exhausted crews. This rescue occurred in Pereira, the nation's most severe earthquake in a century, which claimed at least 241 lives and injured over 1,600 others. Soldiers, firefighters, and volunteers tirelessly searched collapsed buildings across western Colombia, employing various methods like cranes, dogs, and heavy machinery to locate survivors.

The woman's mother expressed her relief, crediting a local resident who heard cries for help and joined neighbors in clearing debris before professional rescuers arrived. Her 12-year-old son awaits her at home. Emergency crews across Pereira and Cali utilized heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, and human chains to clear debris, aiming to reach trapped individuals.

As night fell, families slept in parks due to aftershocks and damaged neighborhoods. The earthquake strained Colombia's health system, turning rescue efforts into one of the country's largest disaster responses in years. In Cali, residents aided firefighters in excavating collapsed buildings using picks, shovels, and their bare hands.

Rescuers paused periodically to listen for any response from the rubble. In Pereira, army units and sniffer dogs combed through twisted concrete and exposed steel. Amidst the chaos, volunteers formed human chains to clear paths and retrieve debris. Families faced the loss of homes, possessions, and livelihoods, with one woman describing their survival as a miracle.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency, promising rent subsidies for affected families, while the United States pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid. As aftershocks persisted, rescue crews continued their efforts, hoping to hear more signs of life amidst the rubble.