In the Colombian city of Pereira, rescue teams pulled a 32-year-old woman alive from the wreckage of a collapsed building on Tuesday, ending an ordeal that had lasted 36 hours. The woman, whose name has not been released, was located by rescuers using acoustic detection equipment about 10 hours before they could physically reach her, according to local emergency officials.
The rescue came as Colombia continues to grapple with the aftermath of a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country's coffee-growing region on Monday. The quake has devastated cities including Manizales and Cali, damaged historic buildings, and left hundreds of families homeless. The death toll has risen to at least 216, with rescue operations still underway in several affected areas.
A painstaking rescue in Pereira
In Pereira, a city of about 500,000 people in the Andean foothills, the rescue operation became a symbol of hope amid the destruction. The woman was trapped in the basement of a four-storey residential building that collapsed during the quake. Firefighters and military personnel worked in shifts, carefully removing concrete and steel debris by hand to avoid triggering further collapses.
"We heard her voice early on, and that gave us the strength to keep going," said Captain Luis Fernando Ramírez, a firefighter leading the operation. "Every hour we worked, we knew she was waiting for us." The woman was eventually extracted on a stretcher, covered in dust but conscious, and was taken to a local hospital. Medical staff said she was in stable condition, suffering from dehydration and minor injuries.
The rescue in Pereira has been widely shared on social media, offering a rare moment of relief in a tragedy that has struck several Colombian cities. In Cali, a city of over 2 million, volunteers have set up a "hugs here" station to provide emotional support to survivors and rescue workers, a small gesture of humanity amid the rubble.
EU responds with aid and satellite support
The European Union has moved quickly to assist Colombia. The European Commission announced €2 million in emergency aid to support relief efforts, and the EU's Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide damage assessment maps for the affected regions. The aid package is part of a broader international response, with the EU also coordinating with member states to send search-and-rescue teams and medical supplies.
"Europe stands with Colombia in this difficult hour," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are ready to provide further assistance as needed." The EU's support has been welcomed by Colombian authorities, who are racing against time to find survivors in the rubble.
The earthquake has also raised questions about building standards in the region, where many older structures were not designed to withstand such a powerful tremor. In Manizales, the city's iconic cathedral was severely damaged, and several historic buildings have collapsed. Engineers are now assessing the structural integrity of hundreds of buildings across the affected zone.
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on finding survivors. In Pereira, the successful rescue has given hope to families still waiting for news of loved ones. "We will not stop until we have searched every corner," said Ramírez. "Every life saved is a victory."
