Pereira intensifies debris removal, begins resuming daily activities after earthquake

Pereira, Colombia – Four days after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck, the streets of Pereira are beginning to show signs of recovery as trucks and excavators work to clear the widespread debris. Residents, armed with shovels and determination, are actively participating in the cleanup, dismantling damaged structures to pave the way for rebuilding.

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The whole family was there except my dad and I... Everyone managed to get out, thank God. Only one tenant died.

The earthquake's devastating impact is starkly reflected in the rising death toll, which now stands at 285, with an additional 379 individuals reported missing, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). The seismic event has left a trail of destruction, affecting 102,262 people from 45,523 families and destroying 12,828 homes. The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, Chocó, in the Pacific region.

Luis Eduardo Ceballos, a resident whose three-story home and business were completely destroyed, shared his harrowing experience. "The whole family was there except my dad and I... Everyone managed to get out, thank God. Only one tenant died," he recounted. Despite losing everything, Ceballos and his family are working to salvage what they can, receiving crucial support from firefighters, the Red Cross, and the local community, who have provided food, water, and clothing.

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It's the only thing we have, and we're trying to rescue things, rescue something.

Ceballos expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the family business, Almacén El Piñón, a lifelong endeavor for his father, who at 91 years old still found joy in working there. "It's the only thing we have, and we're trying to rescue things, rescue something," he said, noting that they have managed to retrieve some clothing and damaged vehicle parts. Meanwhile, José Rodríguez, a Venezuelan who recently arrived in Colombia, has been working for about 72 hours assisting with the debris removal in Pereira.

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The community has helped us a lot... with food, water, and clothes.