Rescue teams are searching through heaps of broken concrete in western Colombia following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 250 lives, according to local authorities’ estimates. Families anxiously wait by the debris for any signs of life.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the strongest to hit Colombia in decades, struck the heart of the country’s coffee-growing region early on Monday, causing significant damage to buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities. Rescue operations are underway round the clock in the worst affected cities, with crews using heavy machinery and even their bare hands to locate and free trapped individuals.
Efforts are concentrated on saving lives, ensuring the prompt arrival of rescue teams, and providing essential medical supplies and field hospitals, as stated by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara. Initial reports from the United Nations indicate 126 confirmed fatalities and 1,495 injuries as of Monday night, but local assessments suggest a higher death toll of around 254 as rescue teams access more areas and communication networks are gradually restored.
Nearly 5,000 homes have been damaged, with dozens of structures collapsing and hundreds of residences obliterated. In Cali, residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, some resorting to outdoor cooking while dealing with the aftermath. A significant portion of a hospital in the city, including pediatric wards, collapsed, leaving patients stranded and hundreds receiving care on the streets amid the rubble.
In Pereira, another severely impacted city, entire residential neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Volunteers and locals are working together in search and rescue operations, hoping to find survivors. The earthquake has also disrupted critical infrastructure, leading to the closure of six airports and numerous road closures.
Emergency services are mobilizing to provide shelter, water, hygiene kits, food, and medical aid to those affected. International assistance is on the way, with the United States pledging $15.5 million for emergency relief efforts and the Inter-American Development Bank offering $50 million for reconstruction support. Given the communication challenges in the worst-hit areas, authorities anticipate that it may take several days to assess the full extent of the damage and determine the final casualty count.