Israel Sends Largest Earthquake Rescue Team to Colombia’s Cali for Life-Saving Efforts

One week after a devastating earthquake struck western and central Colombia on August 10, the largest Israeli Home Front Command delegation has arrived in Cali, a city of about two million residents, to assist in rescue and recovery operations. Led by Colonel Yossi Pinto, the team is working around the clock across three of five major disaster sites in the city, focusing on locating missing persons and extracting injured survivors from the rubble.

The Israeli delegation, which deployed just 96 hours after the quake, brought advanced rescue and engineering teams along with substantial equipment, making it the largest foreign rescue contingent in Colombia. Colonel Pinto highlighted the team’s expertise in rapid damage assessment and building triage, working closely with Colombian authorities and international volunteers to optimize resource use and accelerate operations.

Although no live survivors have yet been found, the team has recovered numerous deceased missing persons. Pinto noted that as the eighth day since the earthquake approaches, the chances of finding survivors diminish, and he expects the rescue phase to conclude within two days, transitioning to reconstruction efforts with local authorities.

The Israeli team also provides technical support by mapping damaged structures and sharing data from Israel’s systems to aid Colombia’s response. Pinto emphasized the high level of cooperation and appreciation from Colombian officials, underscoring Israel’s unique capabilities in managing complex disaster scenarios efficiently. The delegation recently returned from a similarly challenging mission in Venezuela, bringing valuable experience to the current operation.

The Israeli rescue mission in Cali represents a significant international humanitarian effort following one of Colombia’s deadliest earthquakes, demonstrating Israel’s commitment to global disaster relief and bilateral cooperation.