Rescue teams are working tirelessly in western Colombia following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 250 lives, according to local authorities’ estimates. The powerful 7.4-magnitude quake, the strongest in Colombia in many years, struck the country’s coffee-producing region, causing widespread destruction to buildings and infrastructure.
In the most affected areas, rescue operations continued throughout the night using heavy machinery and manual labor to locate and extract survivors trapped under debris. The focus remains on saving lives, providing medical assistance, and ensuring the arrival of rescue teams and essential supplies, according to Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara.
Initial reports indicated 126 confirmed deaths and 1,495 injuries, but local estimates have raised the death toll to around 254 as rescue efforts progress and communication is gradually restored. Nearly 5,000 homes sustained damage, with numerous buildings collapsing and hundreds of residences destroyed, as reported by the United Nations humanitarian office OCHA.
In cities like Cali and Pereira, residents faced the aftermath of the disaster, with damaged homes, collapsed structures, and disrupted services. The earthquake also disrupted critical infrastructure, leading to airport closures and road damage across the region.
International aid efforts have commenced, with the United States pledging financial support for emergency relief and reconstruction, and the Inter-American Development Bank offering immediate assistance for recovery efforts. As authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage and casualties, the full impact of the earthquake is yet to be determined, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by the affected communities.