Hundreds missing after Colombia quake, rescue hopes fade

Desperation is mounting in Colombia as the window for finding earthquake survivors narrows, with rescue efforts transitioning to debris removal in the most affected regions. The powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday has left a trail of devastation, claiming at least 273 lives and injuring more than 3,800 people.

In Cali, the country's third-largest city, search-and-rescue operations are winding down at most sites, signaling a grim shift in the disaster response. Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that nine search-and-rescue efforts remain active, urging silence in these zones to allow teams to listen for any signs of life. Families anxiously await news of the 377 individuals still reported missing.

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Mayor Alejandro Eder said nine search-and-rescue efforts remained active, and called for silence in these areas so rescue workers could listen for signs of survivors.

Beyond the major cities, smaller towns and remote communities are struggling with inadequate government response. Rescue groups reported that some areas did not receive aid until Wednesday night, forcing locals to dig through rubble with their bare hands. Adding to the challenges, some neighborhoods in the port city of Buenaventura remain inaccessible due to armed groups controlling access to essential supplies. Residents in affected areas continue to face critical shortages of water, gas, and electricity, compounding the disaster's impact.

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Nazly Lozano, the International Rescue Committee's program assistant at the port city of Buenaventura northwest of Cali, said rescue workers had not reached some stricken areas until Wednesday night, leaving locals to dig through the rubble with their bare hands in a desperate search for survivors.