A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia's northwestern Choco region on Monday, marking the strongest tremor to hit the country in decades or this century, according to differing reports [1, 2, 3]. The quake's impact was felt across western Colombia, affecting cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo [1].

Rescue teams began the final phase of operations on Wednesday, within the crucial 72-hour window to find survivors under rubble [1, 2]. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said, "We're entering the final phase. Every minute is vital" [1]. To date, the death toll has reached 265, with more than 3,500 injured and nearly 500 reported missing or unaccounted for [1, 2, 3]. The exact number of missing remains disputed; a crowdsourced tracking site suggests the true total could exceed 4,100 [1].

The earthquake caused at least 140 buildings to collapse completely, with thousands more homes damaged or destroyed [1]. Thousands of displaced people are sleeping outdoors in parks or emergency shelters due to fears of aftershocks and unsafe housing [1, 3]. Colombia's geological service recorded 130 aftershocks since Monday [1].

Rescue crews are using vibration sensors, sniffer dogs, cranes, and hand tools while frequently pausing to listen for signs of life beneath unstable rubble [1, 3]. In Cali, three people have been rescued alive from the debris, alongside three fatalities [1]. Volunteer rescuer Johana Sanchez reported, "So far, three people have been pulled out alive and three dead" [1].

In Pereira, efforts focus on a collapsed bakery where street vendor Pablo Loaiza may still be trapped. His niece, Sara Loaiza, said, "My heart is about to burst out of my chest" as she keeps vigil at the rescue site [2, 3].

Authorities declared an economic emergency and ordered three days of national mourning following the quake [3]. Relatives of the missing continue to gather at rescue locations hoping for news [3].

The rescue operation remains active as teams race against time to find survivors before Wednesday's 72-hour critical window closes [1, 2].