Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Operation Enters 'Final Phase'

Rescue efforts in Colombia have entered their final phase, with time running short as the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors dwindles. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that survivors may still be found, but the odds of success are rapidly decreasing. The death toll has risen to 265, with over 3,500 injured and nearly 500 people still unaccounted for.

Over 25,800 families have been affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, which struck near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region on Monday. Three people have been rescued alive, while three more have been reported dead in Cali alone. Families in Palmira lost their mother and 13-month-old daughter to the quake, with the infant's identity yet to be confirmed through DNA testing.

The quake has caused 140 buildings to collapse entirely, and thousands of homes to suffer damage or destruction. Aftershocks continue to shake the region, with 130 recorded since the initial disaster. International aid is arriving swiftly, including from the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador, to support Colombia's humanitarian response.