Hundreds still missing in Colombia as desperation grips earthquake rescue effort

CALI and Pereira, Colombia - As rescue efforts in Colombia continue after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday, hopes of finding survivors are dwindling as crews shift their focus to debris removal. In the country's third-largest city of Cali, the search-and-rescue phase has given way to clearing rubble from damaged buildings and infrastructure.

The earthquake caused widespread destruction, toppling apartment blocks and damaging homes, schools, and hospitals, particularly in Cali and Pereira, a city in the country's coffee region. As of Thursday morning, the death toll has risen to at least 273, with over 3,800 people injured. Government data also reports that 377 individuals remain unaccounted for.

Enrique Marin, a resident of Pereira, recounted his harrowing experience of driving over 10 hours from Bogota after receiving a call from a friend who informed him that Marin's relative was among those missing.