In a rare moment of relief amid devastation, Colombian rescue teams successfully freed a man trapped under rubble following a powerful earthquake. The victim, identified as Carlos Pérez, was pulled from the collapsed remains of a building in the city of Pereira after 14 hours of painstaking efforts. The operation, involving 30 firefighters and volunteers, drew cheers from onlookers as the man was carried to safety.

The quake, which struck early Monday morning, measured 6.1 on the Richter scale and has claimed at least 15 lives while injuring dozens. Rescuers continue to search for survivors in multiple towns across the coffee-growing region. Officials warn that aftershocks may complicate the relief work.

Pérez was trapped in a narrow pocket beneath concrete slabs. Rescuers used specialized equipment to carefully remove debris without triggering further collapse. Medical teams treated him on site before he was transported to a hospital, where his condition was listed as stable.

This rescue offers a glimmer of hope as Colombia mourns the dead and struggles to recover from the natural disaster. The government has declared a state of emergency and mobilized additional resources to the affected areas.