Earthquake in Colombia: Nearly 300 people trapped in rubbles
In Colombia, hopes are fading of finding survivors after Monday’s powerful earthquake. Rescue teams are now turning their focus to recovering bodies, but families are still holding out hope of finding their loved ones alive beneath the rubble. Many have taken matters into their own hands, as our reporters found when they visited Cali, a city near the quake’s epicentre.
Rescue efforts in Colombia have shifted from search and rescue to debris removal as the grim reality of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake becomes more apparent. The powerful quake, which struck early Monday morning, has left at least 265 people dead and around 500 others still unaccounted for. In the city of Cali, the primary epicenter, crews have turned their focus to clearing debris, signaling the transition into a more challenging phase of disaster response.
The aftershocks, now totaling over 150, continue to complicate the situation for both survivors and rescue workers navigating through unstable rubble. President Abelardo De La Espriella, a relative newcomer to office, has declared an economic emergency and pledged to establish a reconstruction fund to channel aid to hospitals, schools, homes, and infrastructure.
Amid criticism over the government's handling of international assistance, officials insist they have not rejected any offers but will only accept teams certified to meet established standards for search and rescue operations.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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