Earthquake in Colombia: Three-month-old baby found alive under the rubble

Colombian rescue workers continued searching on Thursday in the hope of finding survivors of the powerful earthquake that struck the country on Monday morning. In Cali and Pereira, among the hardest-hit cities, teams worked for a third consecutive night, sometimes with their bare hands, with the help of cranes and specially trained dogs.

The operations were entering a critical phase, with the chances of survival dropping significantly after 72 hours under the rubble. Nevertheless, survivors have already been found beyond this time frame in previous disasters, especially when they had water or food.

“We will hold on to hope until the very last moment,” said Marta Pérez, a resident of Cali whose two relatives remained buried.

The rescue of Salomón, a three-month-old baby pulled alive from the rubble of a five-story building in Cali, caused a strong emotional response. A few hours after the earthquake, a passerby had heard the faint voice of the infant's father calling from beneath the debris: "I am here. I am with a baby."

The rescuers managed to free the child, covered in dust, and then his father, Juan David Gómez, who was trapped under a concrete slab and injured in one arm.

Both were hospitalized in stable condition. The baby suffered only scratches and a minor head injury, while his father underwent surgery. However, the child’s mother, Valentina, aged 29, and his younger brother remained buried, with no information regarding their condition.

In Pereira, rescue teams were also focusing their search efforts on the ruins of a bakery. Devices capable of detecting slight movements reportedly picked up signs suggesting that a vendor, Pablo Loaiza, was still alive. According to his family, he had responded to the rescuers’ calls by banging from underneath the rubble.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake left at least 265 dead and more than 3,500 injured, while nearly 500 people remained missing. Authorities had initially reported several thousand missing persons, but later revised that number downward after verification.

More than 11,000 homes have been destroyed, and thousands of families have spent a third night outside, due to the damage or fear caused by the numerous aftershocks. More than a hundred have been recorded since Monday.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office three days before the catastrophe, declared a state of economic emergency and decreed three days of national mourning. Many Colombians mobilized to distribute water, food, and supplies to the victims, while long lines formed in front of blood donation centers.

Colombia has started to welcome several international missions, including an Israeli delegation. The United States has announced emergency aid of $15.5 million, while the European Union has released two million euros.

The new government is nevertheless facing criticism regarding its preparedness and the delays in accepting certain foreign aid. Its detractors believe that the difficult transition from Gustavo Petro’s previous administration caused malfunctions at the most crucial moment of the searches.

Bogota denies having rejected offers for political reasons. The authorities state that they requested specialized teams from the United States, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel because of their international certifications, while the other partners were given a specific list of the necessary equipment.