Bogota: Nearly one week after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, rescue teams are still searching through the remains of collapsed buildings as the country faces one of its worst natural disasters in decades. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake has killed nearly 300 people, injured thousands and left more than 140 people missing, according to the latest figures available from authorities.
The earthquake struck on August 10 near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region and caused widespread destruction across western Colombia. Cali and Pereira were among the hardest hit cities, while communities in Chocó and other nearby regions also suffered heavy damage.
In the first hours after the earthquake, rescuers worked around the clock to reach people trapped beneath concrete, metal and broken furniture. Emergency workers and volunteers often called for complete silence around damaged buildings so they could listen for voices or other signs of life.
That desperate search has continued for days, but hopes of finding more survivors are now becoming increasingly limited. The most critical period for earthquake rescues has passed, and heavy machinery is gradually replacing some of the slower manual searches. Excavators, cranes and other equipment are being used to clear dangerous piles of rubble while rescue teams continue checking areas where people could still be trapped.
The work remains dangerous. Aftershocks have continued to shake affected areas, creating the risk of further building collapses and making it difficult for rescuers to work safely. Emergency workers must carefully assess damaged structures before entering them, while families continue waiting for information about relatives who remain unaccounted for.
The scale of the destruction is enormous. Thousands of homes have been destroyed and tens of thousands more have been damaged. Hospitals, schools, churches, roads and other important public facilities have also been affected. In some communities, damaged roads and difficult terrain have made it harder to deliver food, medical supplies and other basic assistance.
The disaster has also brought an expanding humanitarian response. Colombia has received support from several foreign governments and international organisations, including rescue personnel, medical assistance, equipment and financial aid. The United States has pledged millions of dollars in assistance, while other countries have sent specialist teams to help search damaged buildings.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had taken office only days before the earthquake, is now facing a major test as his government manages both the emergency response and the beginning of reconstruction. His administration has declared the disaster a national emergency and is working with local authorities to provide shelter, food and medical assistance to affected families.
Private donors have also stepped forward. Major Colombian business families and wealthy individuals have pledged millions of dollars for rebuilding damaged infrastructure, particularly in Cali and other severely affected areas.
The government is also looking beyond immediate humanitarian assistance. The president has asked the United States to consider temporarily suspending tariffs on Colombian products, arguing that economic relief could help businesses and communities recover from the disaster.
For families across western Colombia, however, the immediate concern remains finding loved ones and securing a safe place to live. Many people have lost homes, possessions and sources of income in a matter of minutes.
As rescue teams continue their work, the sound of heavy machinery has become a familiar part of life in the devastated areas. The search may soon give way almost completely to recovery, but the human impact of the earthquake will remain for years.
Colombia now faces the difficult task of rebuilding homes, restoring public services and helping thousands of families begin again after a disaster that has left deep scars across the country's western region.