Race to free trapped quake survivor offers hope in Colombia

Rescuers in Colombia worked tirelessly on Friday to free a survivor trapped under rubble from a collapsed hotel, a glimmer of hope emerging nearly four days after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Andean nation. The search effort in Pereira, a city in the coffee region, is now focused on clearing debris and accounting for the missing, as hope dwindles for finding more survivors.

Rescuer John Bedoya expressed cautious optimism, stating that there may still be people alive among the mangled concrete, brick, and metal. The earthquake, which occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, has resulted in a tragic toll, with 285 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries reported. An additional 400 people remain unaccounted for.

Authorities have estimated that tens of thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, leaving many Colombians residing in shelters or exposed to unsafe structures. The United Nations refugee agency warned that the quake could lead to further displacement in a country already facing numerous humanitarian challenges, including conflict and migration pressures.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office recently, is set to visit several affected cities on Friday in an effort to assess the situation and coordinate disaster relief efforts. The World Bank has pledged $200 million to support Colombia's emergency response, providing financial assistance and laying the groundwork for recovery and reconstruction.