In brief
A 32‑year‑old woman named Daniela Largo was rescued alive from a collapsed building in Pereira, Colombia, after spending 36 hours buried under concrete slabs following a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake. Firefighters and national police have worked for 10 hours, digging tunnels from above and below to deliver oxygen and free her. Official figures show 188 deaths nationwide and hundreds missing, with the city of Cali reporting the highest casualties. President Abelardo de la Espriella praised the rescue as a hopeful sign, while Largo’s mother said her 12‑year‑old son is waiting at home. The quake triggered over 100 aftershocks since the initial tremor.
A 32‑year‑old woman, Daniela Largo, was rescued alive from under rubble in Pereira after a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake shook western Colombia.
Rescue teams spent 10 hours digging two tunnels—one from above to provide oxygen and one from below to free the woman—through four heavy concrete slabs that blocked the way.
Official numbers show 188 deaths nationwide and hundreds still missing. In Pereira, 79 people have died, the second‑highest after Cali’s 95. Fifteen are confirmed trapped and 37 missing.
Largo’s mother told staff that a resident nearby heard her daughter calling for help from beneath the rubble, which enabled the rescuers to focus their search.
Local firefighters aided by teams from Bogotá and the national police supported the operation, providing critical coordination and equipment.
The quake struck at 07:34 local time on Monday, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó province; shaking lasted between 90 seconds and two minutes. Over 100 aftershocks have been recorded since.
President Abelardo de la Espriella praised the rescue, calling it a “news which fills us with hope.”
Largo’s mother added that her 12‑year‑old son is waiting for her at home, highlighting the personal impact of the disaster.
