A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, marking the strongest seismic event in the country this century according to the National Geological Service. The southwestern city of Cali has emerged as one of the most severely affected areas, with more than 50 buildings reported collapsed across the region. The Torres del Limonar, a four-storey residential structure in the Capri neighborhood, has become the focal point of rescue operations and media attention.
Cali’s Mayor Alejandro Éder reported at least 95 deaths citywide, with approximately 25 people estimated trapped beneath the Torres del Limonar rubble as of Monday evening. Rescue teams comprising firefighters, military personnel, volunteers, paramedics, and humanitarian workers have established operations at the site, working through intense heat and challenging conditions. Early recovery efforts yielded survivors, including an infant, though exact survivor counts varied across reports. Rescuer James Velasco indicated that at least two people had been detected alive with tunnels being excavated to reach them.
For those waiting at the site, hope remains tempered by the passage of time. Efraín Gallego, whose 80-year-old brother and his wife remain missing under the rubble, described the emotional toll of rescue operations punctuated by periodic alerts and silent moments of searching. The extended hours of uncertainty have tested the resilience of families and residents gathered around the collapsed building. A nighttime curfew was implemented to facilitate rescue operations more efficiently.
Despite the tragedy, community response has been substantial. Volunteers, including 19-year-old Alejandro Mahecha, have mobilized to assist by removing debris, providing supplies and water to rescue teams, and facilitating evacuation routes. Gallego and other affected residents have acknowledged the outpouring of support from ordinary citizens bringing tools, equipment, and assistance. Rescue personnel have offered reassurance based on past operations, noting that survivors have been extracted from rubble after extended periods, though the uncertainty surrounding each passing hour continues to weigh heavily on waiting families.
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