Emergency responders in Colombia successfully rescued a 32-year-old woman more than a day and a half after a powerful earthquake devastated the region. Daniela Largo was extracted from beneath a collapsed building in the city of Pereira following an intensive 10-hour operation involving firefighters and disaster response teams.
The rescue proved particularly challenging due to four massive concrete slabs that had pinned Largo beneath the rubble. Emergency workers deployed from Bogotá and local firefighters had to excavate two separate tunnels to reach her—one from above to supply oxygen, and another from below to finally free her from the debris. A resident had initially heard Largo calling for help, allowing rescuers to locate her position using specialized camera equipment.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, claiming at least 188 lives across the country. Pereira, located in the coffee-growing region, reported 79 deaths, while the nearby city of Cali experienced the highest toll with 95 fatalities. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for across affected areas, with rescue operations continuing as authorities search for survivors trapped in collapsed structures.
Largo’s successful recovery provided a glimmer of hope during the ongoing crisis. The nation’s president hailed her rescue as uplifting news, while her family awaited her return—her 12-year-old son had been waiting at home throughout her ordeal.
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