In brief
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August devastated Cali, triggering the collapse of Torres del Limonar. Efraín Gallego, an 80‑year‑old, tirelessly watches for his brother, presumed trapped, amid rescue teams working around the clock. Despite curfews and limited supplies, volunteers flood the site, offering water, tools and moral support. Rescue workers pause under the rubble to let survivors hear their calls, creating a silent environment to protect those still inside. The story highlights the community’s resilience and the ongoing hope that a life will be found.
The devastating 7.4‑meter‑deep quake that struck Colombia on August 10 left Cali a city of rubble, with the four‑storey Torres del Limonar collapsing and trapping dozens of residents.
Efraín Gallego, 80, sits beside the wrecked structure, eyes fixed on the gray monolith. He speaks of his brother, buried under concrete, but his words break with hope, “Every alert that someone might be alive reignites our faith.”
The city mourns at least 95 dead, while rescuers push through heat‑filled mornings, pausing under the rubble whenever survival sounds seep through the concrete. Volunteers bring water, tools and spirits; their silence is a lifeline for survivors attempting to signal from the depths.
Under a night curfew announced by Mayor Alejandro Éder, the site’s operations intensified. A rescuer, James Velasco, reports that, “We have found two alive individuals; they are working to free a trapped man with a sprained leg.”
The emotional toll is visible—many residents, exhausted, sleep on the ground while others gather for collective support. Through the day, the hope that life survives echoes volunteers’ refrain: “Those meant to thrive, do, nothing is written.”
