Colombia Earthquake: Rescuers Race Against Time in Cali

Rescue teams and volunteers in the Colombian city of Cali are working around the clock to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings after a powerful earthquake struck the country's western region on Monday. The 7.5-magnitude quake, which hit at 07:34 local time, has killed more than 180 people and injured over 1,670, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities.

Cali has been among the hardest hit, with 95 confirmed deaths and 997 injuries. The nearby city of Pereira reported 79 deaths and 278 injuries. As of Tuesday, search and rescue operations remain the top priority, with emergency crews combing through rubble for any sign of life.

Despite the intense midday heat, teams used drills, shovels, and their bare hands to break apart concrete and form human chains to pass debris out of the wreckage. Excavators loaded rubble onto trucks as rescuers paused repeatedly to listen for faint sounds from beneath the ruins. They called out through loudspeakers at timed intervals, and the crowded site fell silent each time, hoping to hear a response.

Nearly 30 hours after the quake, rescuers say they can still hear faint noises under the debris, and no one has given up hope. Beyond the search, efforts are underway to restore power, especially in rural areas of Cali where electricity is still out. Traffic lights remain nonfunctional on several roads, and municipal workers are prioritizing hospitals and essential facilities. The city's airport, which had briefly halted operations due to power failures, has resumed service.

To ensure safety at night, Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder announced a curfew from 21:00 Tuesday to 06:00 Wednesday. The military will continue to patrol the hardest-hit areas to protect rescue workers, volunteers, and residents' property.