An earthquake rescue operation in Cali, Colombia, has brought a rare moment of hope after rescuers pulled a six-month-old baby and his mother alive from the rubble.
The mother and child had become trapped after part of a building collapsed following Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake, which struck Cali, Quibdó, Pereira and several other cities and communities.
Dramatic rescue in Cali
Videos and images shared on social media showed rescuers carefully working through the debris to reach the trapped mother and her baby.
The operation was particularly challenging, with teams having to work cautiously because of the risk of further collapses.
After reaching the pair, rescuers managed to pull both of them from the rubble alive. The earthquake rescue quickly became one of the most moving moments of the wider search operation.
🥹 #Colombia | ¡Milagro entre los escombros! En Cali, rescatistas lograron sacar con vida a una madre y a su bebé de apenas tres meses, quienes permanecían atrapados bajo los escombros de un edificio tras el fuerte terremoto que sacudió al país. ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/wTrPpv7Cfu
— Noticias 24 Horas (@NoticiasEc24h) August 10, 2026
At least 169 people killed
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake has killed at least 169 people, while hundreds have been injured and thousands of buildings have suffered serious damage or collapsed.
According to the Associated Press, around 1,600 buildings were damaged or collapsed. Soldiers, rescuers and relatives of missing people have been searching through the rubble, removing large pieces of concrete by hand and passing debris along chains of volunteers.
The number of people still trapped beneath the rubble remains unclear, as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors.
Hospitals damaged as searches continue
Search and rescue operations remain underway in Cali and other affected areas, with reports of people still trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Particular concern surrounds hospital facilities in the city, where parts of buildings have suffered serious damage, and fears remain for people who may still be missing.
Rescue teams continue to search the affected areas for signs of life as the emergency response continues.
Also read: US announces $15.5m emergency aid for earthquake-hit Colombia
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