Pereira under impact: Rescue efforts and hope after the earthquake in Colombia
The city of Pereira, in the heart of the Colombian Coffee Axis, faces a bleak outlook after the strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the country this Monday. As the nation tries to recover from the impact, authorities are focusing their efforts on the intensive search for missing persons under the rubble and on assisting those affected in a day marked by anxiety.
The death toll remains subject to constant updates due to the magnitude of the tragedy. While initial regional reports spoke of higher figures, President Abelardo de la Espriella reported this Tuesday that the official number of deaths has risen to 181 people nationwide. In the department of Risaralda, the Secretary of Government, Israel Londoño, specified that around 90 deaths have been confirmed in the area.
The anguish of families in the search for their loved ones
The citizens’ pain is palpable in every corner of the Risaralda capital. Stories like that of Maribel Verano Ramírez reflect the drama faced by hundreds of families. Maribel tirelessly searches the debris removal sites for her mother, Luz Marina Ramírez Verano, and her younger sister, Sandra Liliana Verano Ramírez, who were in a hotel that collapsed during the earthquake.
I don’t know if they are alive or not. I don’t know if they are okay. My mom uses a cane and my sister gets around in a wheelchair; please, do not forget us, there are families in neighborhoods like Esperanza Galicia that also need urgent help.
Maribel Verano Ramírez, affected by the earthquake.
Resilience and reconstruction on the streets of Pereira
Despite the chaos caused by power outages, fuel shortages, and structural damage, the city has begun to take steps toward a slow but necessary recovery. Many merchants have chosen to reopen their doors, cleaning up the remains of glass and damaged merchandise to offer essential services to the community. Pharmacies, bakeries, and restaurants have become vital support points for those working in rescue efforts.
- Authorities are working on cleaning the main avenues to restore mobility.
- Operations have been intensified in Plaza de Bolívar, where the collapse of a building affected the surroundings of the iconic monument to the Liberator.
- Several streets near structures with an imminent risk of collapse remain restricted.
The authorities’ commitment is to clear the main roads as soon as possible to allow emergency services to operate more fluidly, while the city unites in a collective effort to overcome one of the most significant tragedies of recent years in the region.
