PEREIRA, Colombia (AFP) — Colombia’s earthquake rescue efforts entered what officials called the “final phase” on Wednesday, as rescuers searched for signs of life beneath collapsed buildings before the critical first 72 hours came to an end.

The magnitude 7.4 quake, the strongest to hit Colombia this century, has killed 265 people, injured more than 3,500 and left almost 500 missing, according to local authorities.

In Cali and Pereira, emergency crews prepared to work through a third night with their bare hands, cranes and sniffer dogs, stopping not to rest, but to listen for signs of life.