Colombia entered a new and distressing stage of rescue efforts this Thursday after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the west of the country on August 10.

The first 72 hours, considered the period with the greatest possibilities for locating people alive in the rubble, came to an end while emergency teams remain operational in the points where there are still signs of survival.

The most recent balance reported by the authorities indicates 265 people dead, around 3,500 injured and close to 500 missing. The earthquake had its epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, and caused significant damage in cities such as Cali and Pereira.

During the first 72 hours, rescuers focused their efforts on locating survivors before their chances of survival diminished. However, specialists and emergency organizations warn that compliance with that deadline does not mean that it is impossible to find people alive.

The continuity of operations depends on factors such as the location of the victims, the conditions of the collapsed structures, the existence of spaces where air can circulate, and the availability of water and other resources.

Therefore, teams continue working when there are signs that may indicate that someone remains trapped.

In Pereira, for example, emergency teams maintain operations after a specialized dog detected signs of a possible person under the rubble. At these points, periods of silence are carried out to try to identify blows, screams or other sounds coming from the structures.

Rescue against the clock

In Cali, one of the most affected cities, specialized teams continue to review partially or completely collapsed buildings. The work has the support of national organizations and international groups, including Mexican rescuers known as Topos, as well as personnel from other countries.

The authorities have begun, in some points where the presence of survivors has already been ruled out, to prepare for a new phase focused on the removal of debris and care for the victims. However, where there is a sign of life, the priority continues to be rescue.

The magnitude of the disaster is also reflected in the material damage. Reports cited by EFE indicate that more than 11,000 homes were destroyed, while tens of thousands more were damaged. The emergency affects thousands of families and numerous municipalities in the country.

Adding to the tragedy is the saturation of forensic services in some areas, while relatives wait for news and the identification of their loved ones.

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