Dj Catalina Ortiz's body rescued after seven days under the rubble of the Vanessa building in Cali: this was the complex operation

Rescue teams recovered the body of DJ Catalina Ortiz after seven days trapped under the rubble of the Vanessa building in Cali, marking one of the most complex operations during the earthquake emergency. The operation concluded on Thursday, August 20, following relentless efforts by emergency crews who navigated through tons of concrete and twisted structures to reach Ortiz, a 30-year-old influencer and DJ who had been trapped on the first floor of the collapsed building. The extraction process was particularly challenging due to the sheer weight and size of the debris blocking access. Five slabs remained over Ortiz’s body, along with beams and other large elements that required heavy machinery to remove. Rescue workers used cranes of great capacity while continuously monitoring conditions to prevent further movement of the structure. The operation continued into the early hours of the morning, finishing around 4:30 AM. By this time, authorities had completed the recovery of 22 bodies from the Vanessa building, including two minors. The rescue effort involved coordination among multiple groups, including firefighters from Cali, members of the Colombian National Army, and Israeli military personnel who assisted with search and extraction tasks. Israeli teams initially left the site around 5 AM but returned later for a final inspection of the ruins to ensure no individuals were still missing. This thorough check confirmed the completion of the operation. Throughout the seven-day search and rescue mission, teams worked nonstop to locate and extract victims trapped beneath the collapsed structure. The operation highlighted the immense difficulty faced by rescuers in accessing areas where buildings had become a dense mass of concrete, steel, and construction materials. Each movement of a beam or slab required careful evaluation to avoid compromising nearby structures, such as the evacuated and risk-assessed Los Laureles building, which remains under observation due to potential instability caused by ongoing work near the Vanessa site. Conditions during the operation were not only physically demanding but also medically challenging. The passage of several days led to advanced decomposition in some bodies, necessitating special protocols for extraction. Additionally, the presence of hazardous environments required constant vigilance to maintain safety standards throughout the operation. In another part of the country, a mother and her son narrowly escaped death after being buried under the rubble of their apartment in Dosquebradas, Risaralda. The pair managed to send messages via WhatsApp to alert neighbors of their survival, prompting rescuers to return and locate them. Their survival was attributed to the timely communication, which allowed rescuers to continue searching despite initial doubts about their condition. Viviana Gil Agudelo, the mother, described how she and her 15-year-old son survived the collapse of their home. They were trapped for four hours before being rescued through the roof. Despite the trauma, they remain hopeful, though they face uncertainty regarding their future housing. The incident underscores the critical role of technology in disaster response, even in the most dire circumstances. Across the region, the earthquake has left a devastating impact, with at least seven fatalities, over 500 homes destroyed, and 13 buildings collapsing. In Cali, the recovery of all victims from the Vanessa building represents both a tragic end and a significant achievement in the ongoing relief efforts. As teams continue to assess damage and provide support, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and stability of affected communities.