Mexican couple missing in Colombia after earthquake collapses hotel

Mario Zapata Reyes is living through a parent's worst nightmare. His father, Mario Alberto Zapata Verdier, 57, and his wife, Brenda Eloisa Flores Reyes, 42, are among the missing after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Pereira, Colombia. The couple, from Durango, Mexico, were staying at the Dibeni hotel when it collapsed.

"We are very anxious, sad, and so far away because there is no news," Mario told EL UNIVERSAL. "We get information that is perhaps out of date or we don't know if it's true." He confirmed that the hotel itself has stated only his father and stepmother are yet to be accounted for. Rescue efforts continue, but there have been no updates.

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We are very anxious, sad, and so far away because there is no news. We get information that is perhaps out of date or we don't know if it's true.

Mario's sister and his father's wife's sister have traveled to Colombia to get firsthand information. He last communicated with his father via WhatsApp just before the earthquake, discussing business for his father's company, which installs and maintains machinery for cardboard manufacturing. "From then on, we lost communication," he said.

Despite the agonizing uncertainty, Mario insists the family holds onto hope. "We continue with the hope that both my father and his wife are well and will be with us again soon," he stated. The couple had been together for six years and married a year prior to their vacation in Colombia.

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We continue with the hope that both my father and his wife are well and will be with us again soon.