Hopes of finding survivors of the earthquake that struck western Colombia five days ago were dwindling on Saturday, as more bodies were pulled from buildings that collapsed due to the 7.4-magnitude quake that left hundreds dead or missing.
Rescue Efforts
The earthquake struck just after 7:30 a.m. in San Jose del Palmar, toppling apartment buildings and damaging schools, churches, hospitals and homes from the Pacific port Buenaventura to Colombia’s coffee-growing region and major western cities.
At least 294 people have died with 320 more missing and nearly 4,000 more injured, Colombia’s disaster management unit estimated on Saturday. Over two-thirds of the deaths were concentrated in the cities of Cali and Pereira.
Recovery and Rebuilding
Juana Catano, who coordinates a citizens’ action group, told Reuters efforts were now focused on recovery and rebuilding. “We are in a time of overwhelming mourning,” she said.
In the city of Pereira, deep in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, hundreds of people spent the night on mats or in tents at a makeshift shelter in a park, where coordinators said there was a lack of blankets, tents, hygiene products and food.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
