Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Scour Rubble as Death Toll Climbs
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has killed at least 111 people, with thousands missing and rescue efforts underway.
Rescue operations are continuing across western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the region on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and a mounting human toll. The 7.4 magnitude tremor has killed at least 111 people, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella, and has left many more trapped beneath the debris of collapsed structures.
The quake, which struck in the early hours, was felt across a wide area, including the cities of Cali, Quibdo, and Pereira, and was even detected in neighboring Ecuador and Panama. The epicenter was located near San Jose del Palmar, a community of roughly 4,800 people in the Choco region, approximately 250 miles west of Bogota.
Officials report that around 1,600 buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed. In the affected areas, a desperate search is underway. Soldiers, rescue personnel, and ordinary citizens are working side-by-side, sifting through the rubble and passing heavy chunks of concrete by hand along lines of volunteers in a bid to find survivors.
The disaster has also triggered a vast effort to locate the missing. With official channels overwhelmed, families have turned to citizen-run websites to post information about loved ones they cannot find. By Monday night, more than 2,700 people had been reported missing.
President de la Espriella, who was sworn in as Colombia's leader just days ago, has declared a state of emergency to expedite funding for the recovery. The earthquake presents the first major challenge of his presidency, a tenure that has already been marked by his controversial pledge to crack down on criminal groups.
International aid is beginning to arrive. The U.S. State Department has announced $15.5 million in emergency funding for shelter, food, and other essentials, while governments across Latin America have also pledged support.
The quake has unnerved a nation still reeling from the memory of two back-to-back earthquakes that devastated neighboring Venezuela in late June, which killed more than 6,300 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings. As the immediate rescue effort continues, many Colombians are only beginning to confront the long-term consequences of this latest catastrophe.