Rescue teams in western Colombia are working tirelessly to locate survivors following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 250 lives, based on local estimates. The 7.4-magnitude quake, the strongest to hit Colombia in decades, struck the country’s coffee-growing region early Monday, causing extensive damage to buildings, including apartments, homes, schools, and healthcare facilities.
In heavily impacted areas, rescue operations continued throughout the night using heavy machinery and manpower to extricate individuals trapped under debris. The priority remains on saving lives, ensuring the prompt arrival of rescue teams, and providing essential medical assistance, as stated by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara.
Official reports indicated 126 confirmed fatalities and 1,495 injuries by Monday night, but updated figures on Tuesday put the death toll at around 254, highlighting an ongoing crisis as rescue crews reach more affected neighborhoods and communication networks are gradually restored.
The disaster left nearly 5,000 homes damaged, with numerous buildings collapsing and hundreds of residences obliterated, according to the United Nations humanitarian office OCHA. In Cali, residents faced the destruction of their homes and makeshift living arrangements in the aftermath. Meanwhile, in Pereira, a community ravaged by the earthquake, volunteers and residents banded together in search and rescue efforts.
The earthquake also disrupted crucial infrastructure, resulting in the closure of multiple airports and damage to numerous roads. Essential services such as electricity, water, healthcare, and telecommunications were severely impacted, hindering rescue operations and relief efforts in affected regions.
Emergency response efforts intensified with the arrival of international aid. The United States pledged $15.5 million for emergency assistance, while the Inter-American Development Bank offered $50 million for reconstruction support if requested by the Colombian government.
As authorities grapple with communication challenges in the worst-hit areas, a comprehensive assessment of the damage and final casualty count may take several days to ascertain.