In the Colombian city of Cali, one of the areas hardest hit by the devastating earthquake, intensive rescue operations are underway after the Torres del Limonar building collapsed. Mayor Alejandro Éder confirmed that the death toll has risen to at least 95, highlighting the scale of the tragedy that has struck this urban centre.
One of many desperate cases at the scene is the story of Efraín Gallego, whose 80-year-old brother remains trapped under the rubble. According to available information, the older Gallego was buried alongside his wife, while his family waits anxiously for any news on his condition as teams attempt to reach them.
Rescue workers and volunteers are diligently sifting through the debris in hopes of finding survivors. To increase the chances of locating living individuals, teams have requested silence in the surrounding area, as it is only then possible to hear faint calls or cries from those still trapped under concrete and steel.
The appearance of the disaster site reveals a tragic everyday life interrupted by the force of nature. Scattered mattresses, furniture, and personal belongings are visible among the rubble, testifying to how quickly the normal living environment for hundreds of families who lived in the complex disappeared.
Cali, located in the south-west of Colombia, is the country’s third-largest city with a population of over two million. As one of the hardest-hit areas, this metropolis faces immense challenges in organising aid and finding survivors following the catastrophe that has shaken the entire region.
