Colombia earthquake: Woman who survived longest under rubble dies

Pereira, Colombia – A woman who became a symbol of hope after surviving nearly 37 hours trapped beneath earthquake debris has died. Daniela Largo, 32, passed away Friday night in a hospital, her family confirmed Saturday. Her rescue on Tuesday in Pereira, amidst cheers and applause, had offered a glimmer of hope to a nation reeling from the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful in Colombia this century. The quake, which struck on Monday, has claimed at least 294 lives and injured nearly 4,000 people, with the cities of Cali and Pereira bearing the brunt of the destruction. At least 320 people remain missing, according to disaster response agencies. Rescuers are working tirelessly, using heavy machinery to clear debris in the hardest-hit areas, six days after the main tremor. The air in these devastated zones is thick with the smell of decay as days pass. In Cali, the city with the highest death toll, hundreds of survivors who lost their homes or fear aftershocks are sleeping in tents in parks. Neighbors are cooking traditional Colombian stews to support those affected. "I do it because it comes from my heart. (I will) help my neighbors as much as I can," said María Josefa Aragón, a 42-year-old volunteer cook. The tragedy has prompted the establishment of virtual and in-person psychological support services across the country, as rescuers and volunteers grapple with exhaustion and anguish. Families are traveling vast distances to reunite with loved ones. One Venezuelan woman flew from Spain to Cali searching for her daughter and son-in-law, both of whom she fears are dead. "Three years without seeing her to now see her like this," the distraught mother told AFP, requesting anonymity. President Abelardo de la Espriella visited affected areas Friday, declaring a national economic emergency and announcing aid for the displaced. Over 14,000 homes have been destroyed so far.

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Already I want all this to end quickly.