Search teams comb Colombia rubble nearly a week after quake as aid effort expands

Nearly a week after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, search teams continue to sift through the rubble in search of survivors. The disaster has left at least 290 people dead, with over 140 still unaccounted for and 4,200 injured. The quake's epicenter was in San Jose del Palmar, causing extensive damage across the region from the Pacific port of Buenaventura to major cities like Cali and Pereira.

Cali and Pereira have borne the brunt of the devastation, with over two-thirds of the fatalities concentrated in these areas. In Cali, rescue efforts have shifted from recovery to recovery operations, as emergency workers found no signs of life in the unstable piles of debris. Capt. Alberto Hernandez of the Cali fire department warned that miracles are possible but emphasized the grim reality that there is little hope of finding more survivors.

Aftershocks have added to the peril faced by rescue crews and residents, necessitating cautious and methodical work to avoid further harm. In Bogota, a stadium has been converted into a major donation collection center, while in Pereira, authorities are treating injured animals and distributing pet food. Claudia Galeano, who lost her home in Pereira, expressed her anguish at the loss of her father amidst the rubble, highlighting the broader suffering of those left homeless and without support.

The earthquake has presented President Abelardo De La Espriella with his first major challenge since taking office. De La Espriella pledged that Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski, who also owns Nutresa, would contribute 150 billion pesos (US$47.75 million) to rebuild hospitals and schools in Cali. Additionally, the Santo Domingo family, a prominent media empire, has already offered US$32 million in relief efforts.