PEREIRA, Colombia — Rescue teams entered the final phase of operations after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, as authorities shifted efforts at some sites from searching for survivors to recovering victims and clearing debris.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on Monday, causing widespread damage across western Colombia. At least 265 people had been confirmed dead and about 500 remained missing as of Thursday, according to figures reported by Colombian authorities. More than 3,700 people were injured, while thousands of homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Rescuers continued to work at collapsed buildings in Cali, Pereira and other affected cities, using specialized equipment and periods of silence to detect possible signs of life beneath the rubble. Authorities said the critical 72-hour period for finding survivors was nearing its end, although rescue teams can continue searching beyond that window when conditions indicate that people may still be alive.
In Cali, the country's third-largest city, emergency crews began concentrating on debris removal at several locations as hopes of finding additional survivors diminished. Officials have also faced the continuing risk of aftershocks, with more than 150 recorded since the main earthquake, complicating work around unstable structures.
The government has mobilized emergency personnel and accepted assistance from international partners, while authorities have sought to ensure that foreign search-and-rescue teams meet required standards. Bogotá separately dispatched 100 firefighters and rescuers to assist affected areas.
President Abelardo De La Espriella, who took office only days before the earthquake, declared an economic emergency and announced plans for a reconstruction fund covering damaged homes, hospitals, schools and infrastructure. His government has also been coordinating relief and international assistance as the immediate rescue operation gives way to a broader recovery effort.
Authorities continued to assess damage and account for people reported missing, while rescue crews maintained searches at locations where there were indications that survivors could remain trapped. The immediate focus was shifting toward victim recovery and debris removal as the main search window closed.
