Colombia quake death toll hits 265 as rescuers enter final search phase

Pereira, August 13 - As Colombia's earthquake rescue efforts entered their final phase on Wednesday, authorities reported 265 deaths, over 3,500 injuries and nearly 500 people missing following the magnitude 7.4 quake. In Pereira, crews were focusing on a bakery where a street vendor has been trapped since Monday, with rescuers detecting possible signs of life in Pablo Loaiza.

Local officials have declared the disaster an "economic emergency" and called for three days of national mourning. More than 11,000 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands of families homeless. In El Cairo, mountain residents gathered at community kitchens, enduring power outages and anxiety about aftershocks. In Roldanillo, Yuliana Mendez searched through the rubble of her damaged beauty products store. Across the country, people have donated supplies, water and blood to the relief efforts.