As rubble clears, Colombia begins focusing on recovery after the earthquake One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, rescue operations are winding down as the nation shifts its focus from saving lives to rebuilding infrastructure and supporting those displaced by the disaster. The earthquake, which devastated regions including San Jose del Palmar, Pereira, Quibdo, and Cali, has left a trail of destruction, with over 127,557 homes damaged and 26,945 completely destroyed. Critical facilities such as 285 health centers, 2,838 educational institutions, 407 roads, 92 water supply systems, 44 bridges, and five airports also sustained severe damage. The toll on human life has been equally staggering, with at least 289 confirmed deaths, 4,187 injuries, and an estimated 3,000 people still missing, though official figures remain inconsistent. Rescue teams have saved 354 lives in the past week, but the window for finding survivors has narrowed significantly. Sergeant Joel Bustamente of the Bogota Fire Department noted that search-and-rescue operations are now transitioning to a medium-term emergency phase, prioritizing reconstruction, demolition, and recovery efforts. In some areas, such as the seven-story Vanessa Building in Cali, rescue efforts have been suspended, with teams now focusing on recovering bodies. Volunteers and international aid workers, including teams from Israel, the United States, and Mexico, have continued to assist, though hope for finding survivors remains fragile. The scale of the disaster has forced authorities to address immediate needs for shelter and basic necessities. Over 120,000 families have been affected, with local governments converting sports stadiums and community centers into temporary shelters.#colombia #cali #san_jose_del_palmar #pereira #quibdo
Woman pulled alive from rubble 36 hours after Colombia quake A 32-year-old woman, Daniela Largo, was rescued alive after being trapped under rubble for 36 hours following a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia. The rescue operation, which took 10 hours, involved firefighters and emergency workers who dug two tunnels to reach her beneath a collapsed building in Pereira, a city in Colombia's coffee-growing region. Largo was finally freed through a second tunnel dug from below four concrete slabs, with oxygen provided through the first tunnel dug from above. Her mother, speaking to AFP news agency, expressed hope that her 12-year-old son, waiting at home, would soon be reunited with her. The earthquake, which occurred at 07:34 local time on Monday, had its epicenter near the village of San José del Palmar in Chocó province. The tremor, felt across a vast area, caused widespread destruction, with seismometers near the epicenter recording shaking lasting between 90 seconds and two minutes. Over 100 aftershocks have been reported since the initial quake. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella praised Largo's rescue on social media, calling it "news which fills us with hope." The disaster has claimed at least 265 lives, with 496 others still missing, according to the president. In Pereira, 79 people are confirmed dead, the second-highest toll after Cali, where 95 fatalities have been recorded. Asocapitales, the Association of Colombian Capital Cities, reported that at least 92 buildings collapsed in Pereira, leaving 15 people trapped and 37 missing. In Cali, Colombia's third most populous city, more than 200 individuals remain trapped as of Tuesday afternoon.#colombia #abuelo_de_la_espriella #cali #pereira #daniela_largo
Colombia Declares Three Days of Mourning After Deadliest Earthquake in a Century Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a catastrophic earthquake that killed over 200 people and left thousands missing, marking one of the country’s worst natural disasters in modern history. The magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck western Colombia on Monday, flattened buildings, damaged infrastructure, and triggered more than 100 aftershocks in the days that followed. Rescue operations continue as teams work tirelessly to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble, with the government urging citizens to remain hopeful amid the unfolding crisis. The disaster has placed immense pressure on President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just three days prior to the earthquake. The first-time president, who came to power after a contentious election, now faces his first major challenge as the nation grapples with the aftermath. Government officials confirmed at least 254 deaths, with over 2,500 injured and 195 people officially missing. However, civilian-run databases suggest the number of unaccounted individuals could be as high as 4,000. The search for survivors has intensified as the disaster enters its third day. Aid agencies emphasize that the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for locating people alive under collapsed structures, though survival times can extend if victims have access to water and food. Rescue crews have been working around the clock in the hardest-hit cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. In Cali, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, with residents and firefighters collaborating to clear debris using hand tools, shovels, and even bare hands.#colombia #cali #president_abelardo_de_la_espriella #choco #pereira
Abelardo de la Espriella: No Trabajarán Desde la Casa de Nariño El presidente electo de Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, anunció durante una transmisión en sus redes sociales que no trabajará desde la Casa de Nariño, la sede tradicional del poder ejecutivo. En lugar de ello, indicó que su agenda será atendida desde sedes alternativas ubicadas en Barranquilla, Medellín y Cali. Aclaró que mientras esté en Bogotá, no realizará reuniones oficiales en el Palacio de San Carlos, que actualmente alberga la Cancillería. Además, mencionó que nombrará un gerente para la capital. En cuanto a su ceremonia de posesión, de la Espriella explicó que la caída de ceniza del volcán Puracé en el aeropuerto de Popayán impide que la celebración se lleve a cabo en la capital del Cauca. Por lo tanto, decidió que el evento se realizará en Cali, ciudad que describió como un símbolo de la resistencia de los héroes colombianos. También anunció que su primer consejo de seguridad será en la base Marco Fidel Suárez, un lugar que representa la historia de la defensa nacional. En materia diplomática, el mandatario electo detalló una estrategia para reestructurar la representación exterior de Colombia. Informó que cerrará las embajadas y consulados en 14 países, incluyendo Argelia, Azerbaiyán, Barbados, Cuba, Chequia, Etiopía, Ghana, Haití, Hungría, Malasia, Nicaragua, Rumania, Senegal y Sudáfrica. Además, suspenderá la apertura de la embajada de Colombia en Palestina. Explicó que la decisión busca crear una diplomacia moderna, eficiente y orientada a los intereses nacionales, en lugar de ser un instrumento de politiquería o burocracia. Para lograrlo, propuso la fusión de varias misiones diplomáticas, como las embajadas ante Francia y la Unesco, junto con las de Italia y la FAO.#medelln #abuelo_de_la_espriella #casa_de_nario #barranquilla #cali
