Colombia Quake: 36-Hour Rescue
A 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from rubble in Pereira 36 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
The update
Firefighters in Colombia have pulled a 32-year-old woman alive from beneath collapsed concrete slabs in Pereira 36 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Her rescue required a 10-hour operation involving two tunnels dug by local firefighters and teams from Bogotá and the national police. The woman, identified as Daniela Largo, was freed through a tunnel dug from below after oxygen was supplied via a tunnel from above.
Why it matters
This rescue offers a rare sign of hope amid a devastating natural disaster that has caused significant damage and loss of life across western Colombia. The earthquake has resulted in at least 188 deaths, with 79 confirmed in Pereira and 95 in Cali. The successful extraction highlights the resilience and endurance of emergency response teams working under extreme conditions.
What to watch
Rescue operations continue in multiple cities, including Cali, where more than 200 people remain trapped. The death toll is not yet finalized, and hundreds of people remain missing. Authorities have implemented curfews and increased patrols to ensure safety for rescue workers and residents. The next official update will be critical for understanding the full scope of the damage and the status of those still trapped.
Sources
- bbc.co.uk — Rescue details, death toll figures, city-specific casualty counts, and timeline of the operation.
- aljazeera.com — Confirmation of the 36-hour timeframe and the magnitude of the earthquake.
