Hundreds missing after Colombia quake, rescue hopes fade

A massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds of people missing. President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that 281 individuals lost their lives and nearly 4,000 were injured in the quake. Rescuers were working tirelessly through the night to find those still missing, but the likelihood of discovering survivors dwindled as the 72-hour critical period for rescue efforts ended.

David Tamayo, head of the Colombian disaster relief agency, acknowledged the diminishing chances of finding more survivors but pledged to continue the search until all missing persons were located. In Cali, families displaced by the quake sought refuge in makeshift camps, while Mayor Alejandro Eder called for silence in search areas to aid rescue workers.

The disaster has led to the declaration of an economic emergency and three days of national mourning. Colombia has received offers of international assistance, including urban search-and-rescue teams from the United States, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel. The World Bank has pledged $200 million in emergency funds and launched a Global Rapid Assessment of Damages from Earthquakes (GRADE) to help prioritize aid and reconstruction efforts.