Cali maintains hope of rescuing more survivors despite dwindling time

In Cali, Colombia, the hope of finding more survivors persists despite the passage of over 72 hours since a magnitude 7.4 earthquake devastated the region on Monday. The tragedy has claimed at least 273 lives, with 377 people still unaccounted for, but rescue teams continue their search beneath the rubble.

Cali's ombudsman, Gerardo Mendoza, strongly opposes the use of heavy machinery in collapsed buildings, arguing that manual search and rescue efforts should be prioritized. "While there is hope of life, I resist the use of heavy machinery," Mendoza stated. "We must continue to explore, we must continue. The last thing to lose is faith."

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While there is hope of life, I resist the use of heavy machinery. There must be continued exploration, continued effort. The last thing to lose is faith.

The city of Cali has reported at least a hundred fatalities and dozens of damaged or destroyed residential and commercial buildings. The nearby city of Pereira, the capital of Risaralda, faces a similar situation. According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the number of missing persons decreased from 496 to 377, while fatalities and injuries continue to rise.

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In the midst of all that saddens us today, the most important thing is to keep fighting to find people alive. If time has already passed, we obviously no longer have hope of life (...) but so far I still see that there are minutes of silence to hear some message.

Mendoza emphasized the ongoing commitment to finding survivors, noting that "as long as there is hope of life, we do not obviously have hope of life (...) but so far I still see that there are minutes of silence to hear some message." The municipal ombudsman's office is working with the mayor's office to assist the injured and those who lost their homes.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of "economic emergency" to establish a "miracle fund" for the reconstruction of damaged hospitals, schools, buildings, roads, and airports. Mendoza acknowledged the impending economic crisis but expressed optimism, stating, "We are going to face an economic crisis, but we have to be positive and from this we will emerge as a resilient city, as a city that has to get back on the path of prosperity."

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We are going to face an economic crisis, but we have to be positive and from this we will emerge as a resilient city, as a city that has to get back on the path of prosperity.