CALI, Colombia — Hopes faded and camps housing Colombian quake victims grew on Thursday, as the critical 72-hour window for finding people alive closed for good.

The strongest quake to hit Colombia this century devastated the western cities of Cali and Pereira and destroyed almost 13,000 homes across the coffee region and along the coast.

The 7.4 magnitude tremor killed 281 people and injured almost 4,000, President Abelardo de la Espriella told reporters, while 379 more remained missing.

Some of the thousands of families made destitute sought refuge in makeshift camps popping up in Cali’s streets and parks.

Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, 72, lost the apartment she had saved for her entire life.

Cradling a cup of coffee, she gazed at her decimated home from the soccer pitch where she has bedded down with her husband, 76.

“We wonder what aid we’re entitled to, whether they’re going to relocate us somewhere else, because this is going to last a long time,” she said.

Thursday morning marked 72 hours since the quake, a period when survivors are considered most likely to be found alive, unless they are near pockets of water and air.

Rescue efforts have not ceased, however, and emergency teams continued digging tirelessly that evening, stopping only to listen for signs of life.

“Miracles do exist, but at this point it’s unlikely we’ll find people alive,” said a firefighter in Pereira, where the smell of decaying bodies was beginning to creep into the air.

The impoverished Choco region on the Pacific........

© The Times of Israel