Amputee left homeless by Colombia earthquake pleads for help
Francisco Pino Cordoba, a man with both legs amputated, is waiting for government assistance after his home in Colombia's Choco department was destroyed by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
Footage from Quibdo shows Pino Cordoba moving through the ruins of his home on his stumps with the help of shoes, pointing out damage to his bedroom and bathroom.
"This is the room where we are staying these days, while the Mayor's Office gives us assistance for lodging," he said. Pino Cordoba said the Medrano Neighbourhood Community Action Board had registered him as a victim and photographed the damage, but authorities had yet to visit.
"We are waiting for the Mayor's Office to come and see me," he said. He recalled escaping moments before his home collapsed after feeling the earthquake while having hot chocolate and bread.
"When I felt the tremor, I went out," he said. "As I was going up the stairs, I saw the building over there collapse... Thank God I had already got out."
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Pino Cordoba said he has since relied on relatives and friends for food and other support while awaiting assistance.
The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with its epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in Choco. Authorities say 14 people have died and 139 have been injured in the department, with 468 homes destroyed, Viory reports. Nationwide, 287 people have been killed, 3,975 injured and 378 remain missing, according to the latest government figures.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
