Colombia earthquake: A whisper from the rubble led to remarkable rescue of a baby

Key Points:

• A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing significant destruction including the collapse of a five-story residential building in Cali, where a man and infant were heroically rescued from the rubble by volunteers.
• The quake, the strongest in Colombia in over a decade, has killed more than 200 people and severely impacted the coffee-growing region, with search and rescue operations continuing into their third day amid widespread devastation.
• International aid is being mobilized, including support from the European Union, while rescue efforts in cities like Cali and Pereira involve both emergency responders and unprepared volunteers forming human chains to clear debris and save survivors.
• Indigenous communities in the hardest-hit Chocó region remain isolated and without aid, with leaders reporting complete destruction of homes and urgent needs for food, medicine, and shelter, highlighting challenges in reaching remote areas.
• The disaster poses an immediate test for Colombia’s newly inaugurated far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella, who faces the dual challenges of responding to the earthquake and addressing ongoing security issues in the country.