Rescue teams in western Colombia are frantically searching for survivors amidst the rubble following a devastating earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 250 people, as estimated by local authorities. The powerful 7.4-magnitude quake, the strongest to hit Colombia in many years, struck the heart of the country’s coffee-producing region early on Monday, causing widespread destruction to buildings, including apartments, homes, schools, and medical facilities.
In heavily impacted cities, rescue operations continued throughout the night using cranes, excavators, and manual labor to locate and extract individuals trapped beneath debris. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara emphasized the immediate focus on saving lives, ensuring the deployment of rescue teams, and providing medical aid and field hospitals.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), official reports indicated 126 confirmed fatalities and 1,495 injuries by Monday night. However, local assessments on Tuesday suggested a higher death toll of around 254, revealing an ongoing crisis as emergency crews gain access to affected areas and communication networks are gradually restored.
The disaster caused damage to nearly 5,000 homes, with numerous buildings collapsing and hundreds of other residences being destroyed. In Cali, residents took to the streets after witnessing the destruction of their homes and buildings. A hospital in the city experienced structural failures, leading to the rescue and care of patients on the street amidst the rubble.
In Pereira, one of the hardest-hit cities, residential neighborhoods were left in ruins, prompting residents and volunteers to join forces in search and rescue efforts. The earthquake also disrupted essential services, resulting in the closure of multiple airports and damage to roadways.
As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of the disaster, international aid is being mobilized to provide support. The United States and the Inter-American Development Bank have pledged financial assistance for emergency relief and reconstruction efforts. However, with communication challenges persisting in severely impacted areas, authorities anticipate that it may take days to fully assess the extent of the damage and determine the final death toll.
