Colombia earthquake death toll climbs to 182, UN says
A 7.4-magnitude quake in Colombia has killed 182 people, injured 2,500 and left 195 missing, the UN reports.
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck western Colombia has risen to 182, with 2,500 people injured and 195 still unaccounted for, according to the United Nations.
María José Torres Macho, the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, shared the updated figures during a briefing in Bogotá on Tuesday. She said the scale of destruction had exceeded initial expectations, with collapsed homes and significant structural damage reported across dozens of cities and towns.
Search and rescue operations remain the immediate priority, with emergency teams working through debris to reach those trapped. The UN has already pre-positioned emergency kits and is using satellite-based remote sensing to assess the full extent of economic and structural damage.
UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq conveyed the Secretary-General's condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Colombia. He confirmed that the UN is in close contact with authorities and is supporting the government-led response as requested.
Torres Macho outlined the key humanitarian priorities: temporary shelter for the many who have lost their homes, food security, and protection for women and children in the most vulnerable affected areas. She noted that existing local capacities are being realigned, with medical response already coordinated with the Ministry of Health.