Rescue teams are engaged in a frantic search for survivors in western Colombia following a devastating earthquake that claimed over 250 lives, as estimated by local authorities. The powerful 7.4-magnitude quake, the strongest to hit the country in decades, caused widespread destruction in Colombia’s coffee-producing region. Buildings, schools, and health facilities were left in ruins, with rescuers toiling tirelessly through the night aided by heavy machinery and hand tools to locate trapped individuals.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara emphasized the immediate focus on saving lives, ensuring the swift deployment of rescue teams, medical supplies, and field hospitals. The United Nations reported 126 confirmed fatalities and 1,495 injuries by Monday night, but local sources suggested a higher death toll of approximately 254 as rescuers reached more affected areas and communication networks were gradually restored.
Nearly 5,000 homes suffered damage, with numerous structures collapsing and hundreds of residences being razed. In Cali, residents coped with the aftermath as they salvaged belongings and congregated outdoors following the partial collapse of homes and hospitals. Pereira, another severely impacted city, witnessed entire residential districts reduced to rubble, prompting community members to band together in search and rescue efforts.
The earthquake also disrupted critical infrastructure, leading to the closure of six airports and damage to roads. Vital services such as electricity, water, and healthcare were severely impacted, particularly in Choco near the quake’s epicenter, hindering relief operations. International aid efforts were mobilized, with the U.S. pledging $15.5 million for emergency assistance and the Inter-American Development Bank offering $50 million for reconstruction support.
Given the communication challenges in heavily affected regions, authorities cautioned that it may take days to assess the full extent of the damage and finalize the casualty count.