Monday August 10, western Colombia was hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. In Cali, the country’s third city, buildings completely or partially collapsed, leaving mounds of rubble.
As the sun sets around 6 p.m. in the country, workers in the audiovisual sector mobilized on Monday evening in Cali to illuminate the rubble with their equipment. The objective: to facilitate the search for survivors, carried out by rescuers or even ordinary residents.
“Since Monday, we have worked uninterrupted”
Geraldine Lazaro works in the audiovisual sector in Cali. It was she who sent all of the images published in this article to our editorial staff.
Since Monday, workers in the audiovisual sector have united to help: some have brought donations, such as food, cooking, while others have brought the equipment they usually use to work – including projectors – to illuminate the rubble. We organize ourselves through WhatsApp groups.
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Cover image: Installing a floodlight in the rubble of a building in the Limonar neighborhood, southwest of Cali, Colombia, August 10, 2026. © Julian Lozano
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Cover image: This spotlight illuminates the rubble of a building in the Limonar neighborhood, southwest of Cali, Colombia, August 11, 2026. © Giovanna Urazan
Geraldine Lazaro continues:
The most affected areas of the city were left without electricity after the earthquake. So on Monday, when night began to fall, people were afraid because they could no longer see anything. Technicians responsible for lighting during filming or even directors of photography then brought their equipment, to facilitate the work of rescuers and people working in the rubble. Some also brought electric generators and gasoline to power them. People renting this type of equipment have also brought equipment for free.
Since Monday, we have worked uninterrupted, because we organize ourselves with shifts all night.
An electric generator used in the evening in Cali, Colombia, following the earthquake of August 10, 2026. © Chencha
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Cover image: A floodlight used in the Tequendama neighborhood in southwest Cali, Colombia, August 10, 2026. © Chencha
Some even flew their drones over the rubble. This allows, for example, to see if people are stuck on stairs. Some sound technicians Also went to the hardest hit places, with their equipment, to try to detect sounds – synonymous with life. They use powerful unidirectional microphones for this.
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Cover image: A destroyed building in the Limonar neighborhood, southwest of Cali, Colombia, following the earthquake of August 10, 2026. © Juan Henao
According to the latest report, the earthquake left at least 216 dead and more than 2,000 injured. According to experts, the first 72 hours after an earthquake are crucial for finding people alive.
On Wednesday August 12, a three-day mourning was declared in Colombia, in tribute to the victims.
A spotlight used in the Limonar neighborhood, southwest of Cali, Colombia, August 10, 2026. © Photo transmitted by Geraldine Lazaro
