Colombia Earthquake: Hope Fades as Rescue Efforts Continue Amidst Devastation

Hope flickers for survivors trapped in the rubble following a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia, but the race against time intensifies. Rescue teams are working relentlessly, though experts warn that the chances of finding people alive diminish significantly after 72 hours.

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The missing are our top priority right now.

Despite the grim reality, dramatic rescues have occurred. One woman, Diana Troncoso, was pulled alive from a collapsed building in Cali after being trapped for nearly 30 hours, her rescue met with cheers from onlookers. However, many more remain unaccounted for, with thousands of families desperately searching for loved ones.

An unofficial database has registered over 4,000 search requests, far exceeding the government's official count of 195 missing persons. The official death toll stands at 181, with more than 2,500 injured. The earthquake, the strongest to hit the South American nation in decades, has left cities like Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó, and Armenia in the west severely damaged.

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Pereira – you just want to cry.

Residents describe scenes of utter devastation. One woman in Pereira recounted returning to her apartment to find shattered wine bottles resembling blood, cracked walls, and widespread disarray, likening the scene to a war zone. Specialized teams, including search dogs, are combing through more than 1,100 destroyed homes and buildings, while volunteers help clear debris.

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It looked like blood. And all the shards. Cracks in the walls and mess on the floor – as if there had been a war.