Rescuers in Colombia called for quiet Thursday as they listened for signs of life within the rubble from a deadly earthquake that has killed over 270 people and left hundreds unaccounted for.
The request for silence was part of efforts to locate survivors following the 7.4-magnitude quake that struck the South American nation on Monday. Aid agencies consider the initial two to three days post-quake as the critical period for survivor retrieval, though this window can extend if those trapped have access to food and water.
"There might be two more people alive here, and I’m hopeful," said rescuer Daiana Rojas, 25, to The Associated Press. "We have been hearing sounds since 2:30 a.m., so our hope remains."
Rojas and her family were unharmed by the quake, which was the most powerful to hit Colombia in this century. She has volunteered in search efforts in Cali, one of the hardest-hit cities, alongside Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó.
"I thought that was going to be my last moment alive," she recalled regarding the earthquake's terror. "Seeing this situation in my city breaks my heart."
Rojas has witnessed both people being pulled from debris alive and the recovery of bodies.
"They are not a relative or a friend of mine, but it feels as they were," she stated about the survivors found. "Whenever rescuers ask for silence, everyone stays still and tries not to move, speak or whisper. But when signs of life are found, all the teams start to applaud."
Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, informed reporters Wednesday that rescue teams continue to find indications of life under the rubble and race to save anyone reachable. "The next 20 hours are the most critical to find and rescue people alive," he said.
However, authorities acknowledge that the rescue operation is entering a difficult phase as search teams begin transitioning toward body recovery.
"The removal of debris begins now; more than 72 hours have passed," Milton Castrillón, who works in the Cali mayor’s office, told AP, adding that teams are now relying on "miracles from God to find survivors."
Authorities reported the death toll reached 273 on Thursday.
According to David Santiago Tamayo, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, over 3,800 people were injured, nearly 12,600 homes were destroyed, and more than 74,800 homes sustained damage.
The devastation has challenged Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, and his administration as they manage the response while aid groups assist the most severely affected communities.
De la Espriella stated Wednesday that nearly 500 people were reported missing, although civilian databases indicate a higher figure of over 4,200. In total, De la Espriella said more than 25,800 families have been impacted.
Meanwhile, Colombia received increased international aid from various global sources.
A team of rescuers from the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived Thursday to assist with search operations and structural engineering evaluations. Other nations, including Peru, El Salvador, Mexico, and Brazil, have also offered support.
De la Espriella announced on X that Colombia will receive a $10 million donation from the United Arab Emirates.
The South American Football Confederation and the Colombian Football Federation jointly announced a $1 million donation to aid reconstruction efforts.
In a joint statement, they noted, "Soccer transcends the pitch and remains close to its people, especially in the most difficult times."
This disaster occurred less than two months after neighboring Venezuela experienced consecutive earthquakes, highlighting a stark contrast in the nations' responses.
In Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodríguez waited nearly four hours before addressing the nation. In Colombia, De la Espriella established an emergency command post to oversee rescue efforts barely an hour after the earthquake. For weeks, Venezuelan civilians manually cleared rubble. Hours after the Colombian quake, rescue teams utilized cranes and excavators in their search for survivors.
This contrast illustrated differences between the nations—their political structures, resources, and institutional strength—and demonstrated how these factors can become life-or-death issues.