Anguish of Colombian brother at rubble of building being searched for earthquake survivors
In Cali, Colombia, Efraín Gallego desperately awaits news of his brother and sister-in-law, trapped under the rubble of the collapsed Torres del Limonar building following a devastating earthquake. Rescuers continue to search amidst the destruction, offering fleeting moments of hope for survivors in the hard-hit city.
Why it matters
This article humanizes the tragedy of a natural disaster, highlighting the profound personal anguish and resilience of those affected, and the ongoing efforts of rescue teams in the face of widespread destruction.
Image source, BBC News Mundo Image caption, At the scene of the rescue, workers and volunteers hold their hands in air in a symbol for silence, allowing survivors to be heard
Efraín Gallego does not lose faith that his brother will be found alive, although when he speaks about him, trapped beneath the rubble of a building, his voice breaks and he swallows hard until he regains his composure.
"You feel anguish. Every time there is an alert about someone being alive, hope is reborn that we will find him," Gallego tells me emotionally.
His 80-year-old brother was buried along with his wife when the Torres del Limonar building collapsed in Cali.
This city in south-western Colombia is one of the hardest hit by the earthquake.
The building has become a symbol of the tragedy in the country's third most populous city.
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