Man Becomes 'Rescate' After Colombia Quake

A significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia earlier this week, causing widespread destruction, particularly in the coffee-growing region near Pereira. Julio Cesar Pineda, a 67-year-old local resident, emerged as a dedicated rescuer, earning the nickname 'Rescate' for his efforts.

Pineda, who crafts handicrafts for a living, was unhurt when his own home was damaged. He immediately joined the extensive rescue operations, working alongside thousands of civilians and government emergency teams. They tirelessly sifted through collapsed buildings, removing heavy debris by hand.

This is not Pineda's first experience with disaster; he also served as a volunteer rescuer following the devastating 1999 earthquake in Armenia, which resulted in over 1,000 fatalities. As of Thursday, the recent earthquake's death toll had risen to at least 273, with 377 individuals still unaccounted for.