Colombia earthquake: Search for thousands missing enters critical phase

The search for survivors of Colombia's earthquake is entering a critical phase, with at least 4,000 people reported missing and many feared trapped beneath the rubble. In Pereira, one of the worst-hit cities, search teams are racing against time after reports of possible survivors beneath collapsed buildings. Survivors who have lost their homes are relying largely on donations from church groups and other Colombians for food, clothing and other essentials. Many say government assistance has been slow to reach them, leaving families uncertain about where they will live and what support they will receive. One survivor said she was grateful to have escaped a collapsed building with her five children. Rescuers later detected another possible sign of life and intensified their search as volunteers urged them on. The slow rescue operation has fuelled criticism of the new government over its response and its handling of international offers of assistance. Colombia's foreign minister denies that any countries have been excluded from offering rescue support.

Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman reports from Pereira, Colombia, for Al Jazeera.

Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile

#ColombiaEarthquake #Colombia #Earthquake #WesternColombia #Cali #Pereira #SanJoseDelPalmar #ChocoColombia #ColombiaEarthquakeRescue #NaturalDisaster #ColombiaEarthquakeAftermath