Colombia on alert after surpassing the 72 critical hours of the earthquake
The first 72 hours have passed since the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia last Monday, August 10. While rescue teams maintain an untiring effort over the collapsed structures, hopes of finding survivors are drastically diminishing as the so-called window of life comes to an end.
The epicenter of the earthquake, recorded at 07:34 local time, was located in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 103 kilometers. The impact of this seismic movement has left a preliminary toll of 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and 496 people reported missing, according to the most recent official data.
Devastating impact and emergency figures
- Destroyed homes: 11,347.
- Houses with structural damage: 53,526.
- Collapsed buildings: 140.
- Affected families: 24,324 in 403 municipalities across 14 departments.
The city of Cali has been one of the most critical points, especially in communes 17 and 19. The iconic Fifth Street presents a desolate landscape with multiple structures cracked or in ruins. Mayor Alejandro Eder has highlighted the institutional deployment and citizen solidarity in the face of a crisis that in Cali already counts 96 fatalities and more than a thousand injured.
From the very first moment we haven’t stopped, we have deployed all our institutional strength to address the emergency and have received the solidarity of the people of Cali.
Alejandro Eder, Mayor of Cali
Rescue efforts and international cooperation
In the spots where there are still signs of life, rescuers are maintaining shifts of absolute silence to detect any sound signals under the rubble. In other areas, once the presence of survivors has been ruled out, the debris removal phase has begun. The situation is becoming more complex due to the onset of decomposition of the trapped bodies.
The search effort is backed by more than 1,000 soldiers from the National Army and international aid. The Mexican brigade “Los Topos Azteca” has joined the efforts using cutting-edge technology to detect acoustic and electromagnetic signals. Likewise, the Government of El Salvador has sent more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid, joining the support of specialized teams from the United States.
Crisis in forensic services and animal care
The magnitude of the tragedy has overwhelmed the capacity of the morgues in Cali, forcing authorities to transfer bodies to the neighboring municipality of Palmira, where relatives face the painful identification process. In parallel, the emergency has affected hundreds of pets. The Mayor’s Office Animal Welfare Center is working on the care of rescued pets, while some 240 are still reported missing after the disaster.
Although the critical 72-hour window has concluded, rescue crews maintain hope on six specific fronts where active search efforts are still being carried out, prioritizing life above any other obstacle.
