- The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, 10 August is the worst in this century, according to the National Geological Service.
- Torres del Limonar building collapsed in Cali, burying an 80-year-old man and his wife.
- As of Monday night, an estimated 25 people were trapped under rubble in Cali, with more than 50 buildings collapsed.
- Mayor Alejandro Éder declared a nighttime curfew to speed up rescue operations.
- Rescuers detected at least two people alive and were making tunnels to reach them; reports of six survivors including an infant emerged.
- Efraín Gallego, brother of a trapped man, expresses anguish but holds onto hope as rescue efforts continue.
- Torres del Limonar is a shattered mountain of rubble, with rescuers and volunteers calling for silence to listen for survivors.
Rescue operations are underway in Colombia after a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on August 10, resulting in at least 95 fatalities and numerous individuals trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.1
The Torres del Limonar building in Cali was one of over 50 structures that collapsed, burying many residents, including Efraín Gallego's 80-year-old brother and his wife.2891011
Mayor Alejandro Éder reported that as of Monday night, approximately 25 people were still trapped, prompting the declaration of a nighttime curfew to expedite rescue efforts.345
Rescuers are working tirelessly, with reports indicating that at least two individuals have been detected alive beneath the debris. Rescuer James Velasco stated, “What I can tell you is that right now there are at least two people detected alive. Tunnels are being made to get them out. One of them has to have his leg freed.”
The earthquake, described as the worst of the century by the National Geological Service, has left a community in anguish. Gallego expressed his emotional turmoil, saying, “You feel anguish. Every time there is an alert about someone being alive, hope is reborn that we will find him.”
As rescue teams sift through the wreckage, the community remains hopeful for more survivors amidst the devastation.
“Silence! We are firefighters. If you can hear us, shout or make any noise,” rescuers call out, as they search for signs of life in the rubble.
“The quake, the worst this century per the National Geological Service, toppled more than 50 buildings in Cali, with 25 people trapped as of Monday night. Rescuers detected at least two alive and were tunneling to free them, while Mayor Éder imposed a nighttime curfew to speed operations.”
