By Mario Baos
Cali, Colombia (EFE).- At the 46 sites where buildings collapsed following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Cali on August 10, the search for survivors has officially ended. The heavy machinery that spent days shifting tons of concrete and iron is now tasked with a different mission: clearing the remains of a city scarred by tragedy to pave the way for reconstruction.
Amidst the twisted steel, personal belongings (photographs, books, and documents) continue to surface from the ruins of homes and offices. These small fragments of lives once lived are being recovered from the dust and debris, serving as poignant reminders of what was lost.
«The search and rescue phase is over, and we are now fully focused on Cali’s recovery,» said Mayor Alejandro Eder. He noted that crews are currently prioritizing the removal of rubble from streets and sidewalks near buildings that suffered total or partial collapse.
According to the latest figures from the Mayor’s Office, the disaster left 153 people dead and 1,657 injured. Of the recovered bodies, 148 have already been returned to their families, while forensic experts continue the process of identification for the remaining victims.
