A 32-year-old woman has been rescued alive after spending about 36 hours trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building following a powerful earthquake in western Colombia.
Daniela Largo was found in Pereira after rescuers spent hours digging through concrete slabs to reach her, offering a rare moment of hope as emergency teams continue searching for hundreds of people still missing after the 7.4-magnitude quake.
Highlights
- Daniela Largo survived about 36 hours beneath a collapsed building.
- Rescuers used tunnels and a small camera to locate her.
- At least 188 people have died following the earthquake.
- Hundreds of people remain missing across affected areas.
- Rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors.
Miracle Rescue After Colombia Earthquake
Daniela Largo’s rescue has brought a powerful moment of hope to Colombia as emergency teams continue dealing with the devastating aftermath of a major earthquake.
Largo was trapped beneath several heavy concrete slabs in Pereira, one of the cities badly affected by the disaster.
She survived for roughly 36 hours before firefighters finally reached her and pulled her from the wreckage.
A Race Against Time
The rescue operation lasted around 10 hours and required emergency workers to carefully navigate the unstable remains of the collapsed structure.
A local resident reportedly heard Largo calling for help from beneath the rubble, giving rescuers a crucial lead.
Once emergency teams arrived, a small camera was used to locate her.
However, reaching her proved difficult because four large concrete slabs were blocking the route.
Firefighters from Pereira worked alongside teams from Bogotá and Colombia’s national police disaster response unit to create access points.
One tunnel was dug from above to provide Largo with oxygen while another was created from below.
It was through the second tunnel that rescuers eventually managed to free her.
Her Family Was Waiting
Largo’s rescue was particularly emotional for her family.
The successful rescue was also welcomed by Colombia’s leadership, with President Abelardo de la Espriella describing the development as a moment that offered hope during a devastating period.
Earthquake Leaves Heavy Destruction
The earthquake has caused widespread destruction across western Colombia.
Official figures indicate that at least 188 people have died, while hundreds more remain unaccounted for.
Pereira has recorded dozens of deaths and the collapse of numerous buildings, with rescue teams continuing to search areas where people may still be trapped.
In Cali, another heavily affected city, more than 200 people were reportedly still trapped as rescue operations continued.
Authorities introduced a night-time curfew in some areas to help secure locations where emergency teams were working.
More than 80 people had already been rescued in Cali as authorities continued their efforts.
More Than 100 Aftershocks Recorded
The earthquake struck early Monday morning and was centred near San José del Palmar in Chocó Province.
The tremor was felt across a wide area, with shaking reportedly lasting between one and two minutes in locations closest to the epicentre.
More than 100 aftershocks have since been recorded, making rescue operations even more challenging.
Emergency teams must therefore balance the urgent need to search for survivors with the danger posed by unstable buildings and continuing seismic activity.
Hope Amid the Rubble
Largo’s survival has become one of the most encouraging developments from the disaster.
Her rescue also demonstrates why emergency teams continue searching collapsed structures even when survivors have spent long periods beneath the rubble.
As families wait for news about their missing loved ones, rescue workers remain focused on finding anyone who may still be alive.
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When disaster leaves entire communities buried in uncertainty, one survivor emerging from the rubble can remind the world that hope can remain even in the darkest moments.
