- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 188 people and leaving hundreds missing.
- Daniela Largo, a 32-year-old woman, was rescued alive after being trapped under rubble for 36 hours following the earthquake.
- Firefighters, aided by colleagues from Bogotá and the national police disaster response team, dug two tunnels to reach Largo, providing oxygen and freeing her.
- Largo's mother reported that a local resident heard her cry for help, and emergency workers located her using a small camera.
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella celebrated Largo's rescue on social media, calling it 'news which fills us with hope'.
- In Pereira, at least 92 buildings collapsed, with 15 people trapped and 37 missing; in Cali, more than 200 people remained trapped.
Rescue teams in Colombia have successfully pulled a 32-year-old woman, Daniela Largo, from the rubble after a grueling 36-hour operation following a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday. The quake has resulted in at least 188 fatalities and left hundreds missing across the region.12
Largo was trapped beneath a collapsed building in Pereira, where 79 deaths have been confirmed, making it the second hardest-hit area after Cali, which reported 95 fatalities. Local firefighters, assisted by teams from Bogotá and the national police, had to dig two tunnels to reach her, overcoming the challenge of four heavy concrete slabs blocking her escape.3
“A local resident heard her cry for help,” said Largo's mother, highlighting the desperate situation. Emergency workers located her using a small camera and provided oxygen through one of the tunnels before finally freeing her through another.4
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella expressed his relief on social media, calling the rescue “news which fills us with hope.” As rescue efforts continue, 15 people are known to be trapped and another 37 reported missing, with over 200 individuals still unaccounted for in Cali. The quake's epicenter was near San José del Palmar, and the region has experienced more than 100 aftershocks since the initial tremor.5
“The rescue in Pereira involved digging two tunnels—one for oxygen and one to free Largo—after firefighters located her with a small camera. In Cali, more than 200 people remained trapped as of Tuesday afternoon, with 92 buildings collapsed in Pereira alone.”
