Colombia earthquake enters grim phase as finding more survivors fade

As rescue efforts in Colombia's powerful earthquake continue, the hopes of finding additional survivors are diminishing, according to officials. In Cali, the country's third-largest city, crews have shifted focus from rescue operations to debris removal at most sites, signaling the grim phase of the disaster response. The 7.4-magnitude quake struck early Monday morning, causing widespread destruction across western Colombia, home to the nation's coffee farms.

At least 265 people have been reported dead, with around 500 others still missing. In Pereira, another city affected by the quake, Enrique Marin recounted his harrowing experience, driving over 10 hours from Bogota after receiving a call from a friend informing him that his mother was trapped under rubble. Despite initial hopes, she succumbed to her injuries during transportation to the hospital.

Authorities have recorded over 150 aftershocks since the initial quake, exacerbating the challenges faced by survivors and rescue workers navigating unstable debris. President Abelardo De La Espriella, who assumed office just days before the disaster, has declared an economic emergency and established a reconstruction fund to distribute domestic and international aid for rebuilding critical infrastructure.

This catastrophe is being seen as the first major test for the new president, who promised to curb public spending but now grapples with the task of managing the crisis while securing funds for relief and reconstruction. Colombian officials have also defended their handling of foreign assistance, stating that they have not rejected any offers but will only accept international search-and-rescue teams that meet recognized certification standards.