Hundreds still missing in Colombia as desperation grips earthquake rescue effort

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia earlier this week has left hundreds missing, as rescue efforts shift towards debris removal. By the evening of Thursday, August 13, the death toll had reached 281, with over 3,900 people injured. At least 379 individuals were still unaccounted for. In the hardest hit regions of Cali and Pereira, rescue workers are now focusing on removing debris, a stark contrast to the initial search-and-rescue phase.

David Tamayo, head of Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, acknowledged that the likelihood of finding survivors was dwindling, but vowed to continue the search. Enrique Marin, whose mother was pulled from the rubble in Pereira, recounted the harrowing six-hour wait before her rescue, only for her to pass away on the journey to the hospital.

Volunteer efforts in Cali are working tirelessly to provide meals for rescuers, medics, and volunteers, with about 1,000 meals served daily. However, outside major cities, smaller towns and communities are still grappling with inadequate government response. The IRC workers reported that some neighborhoods in Buenaventura remained inaccessible due to armed groups seizing food donations.

Over 150 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, heightening the risks for both rescue workers and displaced individuals. President Abelardo De La Espriella has declared an economic emergency and pledged to create a reconstruction fund to aid in rebuilding hospitals, schools, homes, and infrastructure. Despite international offers of assistance, Colombian officials maintain they have accepted all legitimate requests, adhering to certification standards for international search-and-rescue teams.