Hundreds still missing in Colombia as desperation grips earthquake rescue effort

Hundreds of people remain missing following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia earlier in the week, leaving families in the worst-hit areas waiting anxiously for news of their relatives. As rescue operations progress, crews in Cali and Pereira have begun shifting from search-and-rescue efforts to debris removal at numerous sites, signaling a transition into a grimmer phase as the crucial initial 72-hour window closes.

The disaster has resulted in more than 12,500 homes being damaged or destroyed across the affected regions. In addition to the humanitarian crisis, the catastrophe presents a major early test for the newly installed Colombian government as it manages the large-scale national disaster response.