As machinery removes rubble, hopes for survivors from Colombian quake dwindle

Last week, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Nearly 300 people lost their lives, and thousands of buildings were reduced to rubble, particularly in the western city of Pereira. As rescue workers continue to sift through the debris, the chances of finding survivors have significantly diminished.

In Pereira, nursing student Andres Cano admitted to the mental fatigue that comes with the relentless search efforts. He expressed his exhaustion, stating that the hope of locating survivors is now much lower. The earthquake has claimed the lives of nearly 300 people, and at least 140 remain missing. Nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed, leaving many survivors with nowhere to go.

Shelters have been set up, displaying QR codes for individuals to report missing relatives or damage to their homes. In Cali, the city's mayor, Alejandro Eder, estimated that the reconstruction of the city would cost at least US$3.2 billion. Despite the grim outlook, volunteer rescuers remain determined to keep hope alive, continuing their search efforts even though the chances of survival drop drastically after 72 hours.