Tremblement de terre en Colombie: le maire de Cali dément les informations circulant dans les groupes WhatsApp

On August 11, 2026, rescue teams and civilians worked tirelessly in the southern part of Cali, Colombia, in their efforts to save lives following a devastating earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. The quake struck on August 10, collapsing multiple buildings and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. In the neighborhood of El Limonar, located in Cali’s northern district, rescuers and volunteers searched through massive piles of rubble, hoping to find survivors trapped beneath the wreckage. At around 6:50 PM, authorities began asking civilians to step back behind safety barriers set up around the rescue site. Despite some reluctance, hundreds complied, watching intently as more than two dozen uniformed personnel made their way through the dense debris. The tension was palpable among those gathered outside the perimeter. People who had spent hours removing rubble to clear the path for rescue teams shared stories of hearing voices or sounds coming from below. Some claimed they heard a woman calling out, while others insisted they detected a loud noise or even a child's cry. By 7:58 PM, the first clear signs of life were confirmed under the rubble. A woman took charge of communicating with those trapped, initially making general calls for anyone alive to signal their presence by tapping twice. Her messages soon became more specific, addressing individuals by name. As the search continued, the rescuers deployed thermal cameras and high-gain microphones to detect precise signs of life beneath the cold rubble. These tools proved effective, and shortly after 8:22 PM, the team identified a temperature reading of 29 degrees Celsius, indicating the presence of a living person. The calls from the rescue team expanded to include names such as Juan Sebastián and Valentina. Minutes later, the search effort broadened further, signaling the possibility of multiple survivors still trapped within the ruins. Meanwhile, the overall situation across the country remained dire. According to official reports, the earthquake resulted in 190 deaths, over 1,679 injuries, and 222 missing persons. Entire neighborhoods were left in disarray, with 1,136 homes destroyed and another 8,357 damaged. Additionally, 48 buildings collapsed, along with 807 educational institutions, 85 health centers, and 377 community centers affected in varying degrees. Infrastructure damage included 74 roads, 16 water supply systems, and the runway of an airport. In Pereira, another heavily impacted city, rescue operations were ongoing. José Fernando Usma, coordinator of the Red Cross in Quindío, joined the efforts to locate the 239 people believed to be trapped under the rubble and help identify the remaining 180 who were still missing. Trained dogs were used to detect human presence before any structural removal began. One dog marked a specific spot, suggesting there might be someone trapped nearby. Usma emphasized the importance of patience and precision in these operations, noting that some victims could be too far away to hear the calls or unable to respond due to injuries. The search efforts in both Cali and Pereira highlighted the challenges faced by rescuers working against time. Each hour brought new strategies, including reviewing points marked by dogs, removing rubble in sections, and opening spaces carefully without compromising the stability of surrounding structures. Tools such as shovels, picks, and electric saws were used extensively to cut through materials and create pathways through the debris. When dogs indicated a potential location or equipment detected signs of a survivor, resources were concentrated on specific areas. Despite the grim statistics, hope persisted. Volunteers and rescuers continued their work, driven by the belief that some might still be alive. In Pereira, Daniela Largo endured 36 hours trapped under the rubble, with her heart functioning at just 20 percent capacity. Her father refused to lose hope, continuing to support the search efforts. Similarly, in Cali, families waited anxiously for news about loved ones, clinging to the faint possibility of survival. Authorities in Cali issued warnings against misinformation circulating on social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp. They clarified that only the city's administration would conduct door-to-door assessments of affected residents, ensuring that citizens did not fall victim to scams involving the collection of personal information or financial contributions. This message aimed to prevent exploitation during the crisis. As the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors drew to a close, the focus shifted toward recovery and rebuilding. Heavy machinery started clearing rubble in areas where the likelihood of finding survivors had diminished significantly. However, the emotional toll on families and communities remained profound, with many still waiting for news about missing relatives. The resilience of the people, combined with the relentless efforts of rescuers and volunteers, underscored the determination to overcome this tragedy.