Hopes fade in Colombia as window to find quake survivors shuts

The 72-hour window for finding survivors after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia has closed, leading to dwindling hopes for rescue efforts. The quake, which struck the western cities of Cali and Pereira, left 377 people missing, 273 dead, and over 3,800 injured. Homes were destroyed across the coffee region and along the coast, displacing thousands of families.

Maria Rodriguez, 72, described her despair at losing the apartment she had saved for her entire life and the uncertainty surrounding aid and potential relocation. Rescue teams continued their work, but a firefighter in Pereira acknowledged the slim chances of finding survivors. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared the disaster an economic emergency and announced three days of national mourning.

International urban search-and-rescue teams, including those from the US, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel, are expected to arrive soon. The Colombian government faced criticism for allegedly blocking rescue teams from countries with leftist leadership, an accusation they deny.