Emergency responders in Colombia are currently engaged in a critical search for survivors following the strongest earthquake to hit the region this century. The 7.4 magnitude tremor caused significant structural collapses, prompting an urgent, large-scale rescue operation that officials now describe as entering its 'final phase.'

As of Wednesday, the official death toll stands at 265 people. Medical facilities are managing a high volume of casualties, with reports indicating that more than 3,500 people have sustained injuries. The situation remains fluid, as search and rescue teams continue to navigate the debris of collapsed buildings in hopes of locating those still trapped. Authorities have confirmed that nearly 500 people are currently listed as missing, a figure that underscores the scale of the humanitarian challenge facing the country. The transition to the final phase of rescue efforts typically signals a shift in focus from immediate survival operations to recovery and clearing of debris, though officials have not yet declared an end to the search for survivors.