Colombia moves to final phase of earthquake rescue as death toll climbs to 265

Rescue teams in Colombia have begun the "final phase" of operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the western part of the country on Monday, officials said. The death toll has risen to 265 and more than 3,500 people have been injured, while local authorities estimate that about 500 remain missing and roughly 9,550 homes have been destroyed.

Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder noted that the final phase does not preclude the discovery of additional survivors, but the likelihood of finding people alive under the rubble is diminishing. President Abelardo de La Espriella, inaugurated three days before the quake, announced the creation of an emergency fund to rebuild hospitals, schools, homes and other infrastructure, and declared an economic emergency to address the damage, though specific measures were not detailed.

In Pereira, rescuers focused on a collapsed bakery where a street vendor may still be trapped, using vibration-detecting equipment that reportedly picked up possible signs of life. In Cali, volunteers and emergency crews worked through a third night, employing cranes, sniffer dogs and quiet periods to listen for movement. Fire department official Camilo Cano said police restrictions on the number of volunteers helped reduce noise and improve sensor effectiveness.

The disaster has prompted widespread civilian assistance, with residents delivering water, food and supplies, and long queues forming at blood donation centers. Analysts noted that the earthquake presents an early test for President de La Espriella, whose campaign emphasized reduced public spending and stricter security policies.