Rescue teams in western Colombia are racing against a critical 72-hour window to find survivors trapped beneath the rubble after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 265 people, injured thousands and left hundreds missing.

Rescuers worked through a third consecutive night as hopes of finding survivors remained, although the chances of survival typically decline sharply as time passes.

“We’re entering the final phase,” Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said, stressing that rescue teams were still detecting signs of life beneath collapsed buildings. “Every minute is vital.”

President Abelardo de la Espriella said the death toll had risen to 265, while around 3,500 people had been injured. Nearly 500 people remain officially unaccounted for, although a crowdsourced tracking platform used by families has reported more than 4,100 people missing.

More than 25,800 families have been affected by the disaster.

The earthquake struck on Monday morning near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s northwestern Chocó region and was among the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in decades.

The tremor caused widespread destruction across western Colombia, with the cities of Cali and Pereira among the hardest hit. Manizales and Quibdó also suffered significant damage.

Authorities said at least 140 buildings had collapsed completely, while thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed.

In Cali, volunteer rescuer Johana Sánchez said search teams were stopping every 30 minutes to remain silent and listen for signs of life beneath the debris.

“So far, three people have been pulled out alive and three dead,” she said.

Emergency crews, volunteers and aid agencies continue to work around the clock as Colombia enters what officials describe as the most critical phase of the rescue operation. While survivors can sometimes be found after the 72-hour period, particularly if they have access to water or food, officials warn that the likelihood of finding people alive decreases with every passing hour.