Israeli Rescue Team Continues Search for Survivors in Colombia Earthquake Aftermath

A week after a devastating earthquake struck Colombia, the Israeli "Friendship Alliance" delegation, led by Colonel Yossi Pinto, remains active in the city of Cali, focusing on locating missing persons amid the destruction. Cali, with an estimated regional population of two million, has five major disaster sites, three of which are being addressed by the Israeli team in cooperation with local authorities, international teams, and volunteers. The delegation arrived approximately 96 hours after the earthquake and immediately began operations, bringing advanced equipment and expertise.

Despite extensive efforts, the team has not yet rescued any survivors, with all recovered individuals found deceased. Colonel Pinto emphasized the urgency of the mission, noting that the chances of finding living victims diminish as time passes. He expects the search phase to conclude within the next two days, after which the focus will shift to reconstruction efforts alongside Colombian authorities.

In addition to search and rescue, the Israeli team is conducting engineering assessments of damaged buildings to evaluate structural integrity. They are collaborating closely with local officials to map and categorize affected structures. The delegation also provides advanced data management systems tailored to Colombia's needs, enhancing operational efficiency.

Colonel Pinto highlighted the strong cooperation from Colombian government officials at all levels, including ministers, who have expressed deep appreciation for Israel's assistance. He noted that the Israeli team's precision and resource optimization significantly reduce the time required to work at complex disaster sites. Pinto, who recently returned from a similar mission in Venezuela, described leading the Colombian mission as a great honor and praised the dedication of his team members.