Key facts
- Efraín Gallego is searching for his brother and sister-in-law, who are trapped in the rubble of the Torres del Limonar building in Cali, Colombia.
- The building collapsed following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, the worst in Colombia this century.
- Cali has suffered significant destruction, with over 50 buildings collapsed and at least 95 reported deaths.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams calling for silence to listen for survivors.
- Rescuers have reported detecting at least two people alive in the debris.
Efraín Gallego is experiencing profound anguish as he searches for his 80-year-old brother and sister-in-law, who are trapped beneath the rubble of the Torres del Limonar building in Cali, Colombia. The building collapsed following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, the most severe in Colombia this century, which has devastated the city.
Cali, a city of over two million inhabitants, has reported at least 95 deaths and more than 50 collapsed buildings, with Torres del Limonar becoming a symbol of the tragedy. Rescuers, volunteers, and military personnel are working tirelessly at the site, calling for silence to listen for any signs of life from survivors.
Mayor Alejandro Éder has declared a nighttime curfew to facilitate rescue operations. While initial estimates suggested 25 people were trapped, reports indicate that about 10 people have been saved since the collapse, with some local media mentioning six survivors, including an infant. Rescuers have confirmed detecting at least two individuals alive, with efforts underway to free one who has a leg trapped.
Amidst the devastation, volunteers like 19-year-old Alejandro Mahecha are assisting by removing debris and providing support to rescuers. Rescuer James Velasco offers a glimmer of hope, recalling past operations where survivors were found after seven days, emphasizing that survival is not predetermined.