Colombian quake toll rises as locals rally recovery efforts

Western Colombia is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the country's strongest in a century. The seismic event has claimed at least 241 lives and left over 1,670 people injured, with many more displaced and homeless.

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The house came down on top of us. I wasn't able to get out

Rescue operations are in full swing, with emergency crews, soldiers, and an outpouring of local volunteers working tirelessly through the night. They are meticulously searching collapsed apartment blocks and office buildings, using heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, and sheer human effort to reach those still trapped beneath the debris. In cities like Pereira and Cali, damaged neighborhoods lie in ruins, forcing families to seek shelter in parks as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.

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It took about an hour to get us out

Residents have joined firefighters, forming human chains to clear rubble by hand and calling out to the collapsed structures, listening for any signs of life. Stories of survival and loss are emerging, with individuals recounting harrowing escapes from collapsing homes. Beatriz Arcos described being trapped with her family, while others, like Jorge Gonzalez, maintain a vigil outside buildings where loved ones are feared to be buried.

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One of the rescuers asked anyone trapped to whistle, and someone whistled back

Amidst the devastation, a spirit of solidarity is evident. Volunteers are working hand-in-hand to clear paths through the wreckage, driven by the hope of finding survivors. The United States has pledged $22 million in emergency aid to support the massive disaster response, one of the largest in Colombia's recent history. Despite the immense challenges, the community's resolve to aid in recovery efforts is a testament to their resilience.

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My aunt lived there. She's under the rubble. I arrived yesterday and I haven't left, and until they find her body I don't intend to leave here