Hopes fade in Colombia as more bodies recovered days after powerful quake

Five days after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, hopes for finding survivors were fading on Saturday as more bodies were recovered from collapsed buildings, according to Colombia's disaster management unit. The quake, which struck just after 7:30 a.m. local time, destroyed thousands of homes and left hundreds dead or missing. At least 294 people have died, with 320 still missing, while nearly 4,000 more were injured.

The majority of the deaths were concentrated in the cities of Cali and Pereira. Cali, Colombia's third-largest city with over 2 million inhabitants, was the site of the most significant recovery efforts. Rescue workers continued to sift through debris, but only one location showed signs of life, according to Cali fire captain Alberto Hernandez. The remaining areas were deemed too dangerous, and rescuers were now focused on recovering bodies.

Citizens' action groups were working to coordinate recovery and rebuilding efforts, but residents in Pereira, deep in Colombia's coffee-growing region, spent the night sleeping in makeshift shelters in a park due to a lack of blankets, tents, hygiene products, and food. The disaster management unit reported that thousands of homes were completely destroyed, leaving many to sleep outdoors and fear that damaged apartments could collapse at any moment.

The earthquake also triggered hundreds of aftershocks, adding to the dangers for rescue workers and volunteers. Colombia's newly elected president, Abelardo De La Espriella, faced criticism for his handling of the initial response, particularly for not accepting rescue teams from certain countries. However, authorities later received support from Israel and the United States.

Hopes for survivors dwindled as the death toll included people who had become national symbols, such as 32-year-old Daniela Largo, who died in the hospital after surviving 36 hours under the rubble, and 24-year-old Juan Felipe Giraldo, who was found dead after an intense operation at a collapsed hotel. Giraldo, whose father waited for news by the collapsed building, had been set to get married on Sunday and left behind a 2-year-old son.

Thousands gathered in Medellin and Bogota to donate food, clothing, and medicine to donation centers, which distributed supplies to the areas devastated by the quake.