Rubble, Stench, and Hope: Digging for Loved Ones

Two high-rise apartment blocks in the Bello Horizonte complex collapsed into a heap, prompting desperate rescue efforts. Families and volunteers, clad in masks and gloves, sifted through the debris with spades and crowbars, driven by the hope of finding loved ones alive. The overwhelming stench and the late arrival of official aid, with firefighters appearing nearly two days after the earthquake, fueled despair.

Despite the challenges, eyewitnesses described pulling at least one woman from the rubble after hearing her screams. However, official rescue operations, which included teams from El Salvador and the US, were eventually called off on Sunday. Survivors estimate that hundreds may be deceased, their bodies potentially remaining buried and undiscovered.