Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs to 273 as Aid Reaches Hard-Hit Cali
Colombia's earthquake death toll has risen to 273, with volunteers distributing aid in Cali as search efforts continue.
The death toll from Monday's powerful earthquake in Colombia has risen to 273, authorities confirmed on Thursday, as relief operations intensified in the worst-affected areas. The 7.4 magnitude quake has left hundreds missing and thousands injured, straining the country's emergency response capabilities.
In Cali, one of the cities hit hardest by the disaster, volunteers and officials have transformed the People's Coliseum into a central hub for collecting and distributing food supplies. Trucks carrying donations from local and international sources have been arriving steadily, with workers sorting non-perishable items for onward delivery.
"Everyone sent food packages with non-perishable items," said Jairo Galan, a volunteer at the distribution center. "The idea is for us to receive enough - especially non-perishables - so that they can reach many parts of the entire Valle region."
Despite the grim circumstances, Galan noted the resilience of those involved in the relief effort. "We're pretty battered, but we're in good spirits," he said. "We can see everyone working - everyone eager to overcome this very complex situation we're facing in the city of Cali."
Search and rescue teams continued to comb through collapsed structures on Thursday, working against the clock. Aid agencies consider the first two to three days after an earthquake to be the critical window for finding survivors, though this period can be extended if trapped individuals have access to food and water.
Official figures from David Santiago Tamayo, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, indicate that more than 3,800 people have been injured. The quake has destroyed nearly 12,600 homes and damaged over 74,800 more, leaving a vast number of families in need of shelter and basic supplies.
President Abelardo de la Espriella reported on Wednesday that nearly 500 people are missing, though civilian-run databases suggest the number could be significantly higher, exceeding 4,200. In total, more than 25,800 families have been affected by the disaster.
The Colombian Geological Service has recorded over 160 aftershocks since Monday, including a magnitude 4.2 tremor on Thursday near San José del Palmar in Chocó, the earthquake's epicenter.
Cali has received a substantial share of emergency assistance due to its accessibility by road and air. However, aid delivery has been slower to reach other affected regions, including Chocó, an area where the presence of armed groups has historically complicated relief operations.