Three-year-old girl rescued after 100 hours in Colombia earthquake rubble

A three‑year‑old girl and a 75‑year‑old man were rescued alive from the debris of collapsed homes in the Colombian department of Cauca, days after a magnitude‑6.1 earthquake struck the region on August 12, 2026. The tremor, which registered a depth of 10 km, caused widespread damage to residential structures and infrastructure, leaving at least 30 people dead and dozens more injured. Search‑and‑rescue teams from the National Police, the Colombian Red Cross and local volunteer groups worked through the night, using dogs, listening devices and heavy equipment to locate survivors trapped under rubble.

The two victims were found by a coordinated effort that involved a rescue dog that signaled the presence of a child, followed by a manual excavation that uncovered the elderly man nearby. Both were taken to a field hospital where they received medical attention for minor injuries and dehydration. Authorities continue to assess the extent of the destruction, while additional teams remain on standby to locate any remaining missing persons. The government has pledged emergency aid and shelter for displaced residents as the region begins its recovery operations.