Colombia hopes for miracles as search for quake victims goes on

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has been traveling to cities affected by the recent earthquake, expressing his condolences and announcing economic relief measures. The 7.4-magnitude tremor, the strongest in Colombia this century, has resulted in at least 287 deaths, thousands of injuries, and 379 people still unaccounted for.

Rescue efforts continued despite the odds diminishing significantly after the critical 72-hour search window. The damage was widespread, destroying nearly 13,000 homes in the coffee-growing region and along the coast. President Espriella visited the impoverished Choco region, expressing his intentions to implement a Marshall Plan for the area's reconstruction.

The World Bank has pledged $200 million for disaster response and economic loss assessment, while the US has offered $11 million in aid. Colombian authorities have accepted aid from neighboring right-wing governments but rejected help from Mexico, denying it was due to ideological reasons. The quake's impact has caused a stench of decaying bodies in some areas, with bodies being transported to nearby morgues.

Communities have set up makeshift camps in public spaces as families wait for news of their missing loved ones.