Colombia earthquake rescue continues as hundreds remain missing

Rescue efforts in Colombia following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday continued on Thursday, as hopes of finding survivors faded. The disaster has left at least 281 dead and over 3,900 injured, with 379 people still reported missing. In the hardest-hit areas, including the country's third-largest city Cali and the coffee region city Pereira, crews shifted from search-and-rescue operations to debris removal.

David Tamayo, head of Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, stated that the likelihood of finding survivors was dwindling, but the mission remained to locate all those reported missing. Families anxiously awaited news of their missing relatives, while volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute meals to rescuers, medics and volunteers.

However, some smaller towns and communities outside major cities still struggled with limited response from the Colombian government, with residents resorting to digging through rubble with their bare hands. The earthquake also triggered over 150 aftershocks, increasing risks for both rescue workers and the homeless. President Abelardo De La Espriella declared an economic emergency and established a reconstruction fund to channel aid for rebuilding damaged infrastructure.