Rescue operations pressed forward across western Colombia as emergency crews dug through collapsed buildings and flattened homes following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s west Cbsnews. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that at least 265 people died in the disaster, while nearly 500 people were reported missing Cbsnews. Civilian-run databases placed the number of missing individuals at more than 4,100, and more than 25,800 families were impacted by the seismic event.
Death Toll Rises as Rescuers Search Western Colombia
The quake struck early on Monday, tearing through the nation’s coffee-growing heartland and ranking as the most devastating to hit Colombia this century according to India Today. The epicentre was located in the coastal Choco region at a depth of 100 kilometers according to SBS News. The tremor caused apartment blocks, homes, schools, and health centers to crack, lean, or flatten across several cities including Pereira, Quibdo, Cali, and Manizales as detailed by India Today and SBS News.
Frantic Search for Survivors and Critical Windows
Aid agencies and local officials emphasized that the initial hours following the disaster are critical for locating survivors. Cali mayor Alejandro Eder told reporters that rescue teams continued to find signs of people alive under the rubble and were racing against time Cbsnews. The next 20 hours are the most critical to find and rescue people alive,
Eder said Cbsnews. Every minute is vital.
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, at least 20 buildings crumbled, trapping people beneath the debris according to SBS News. Rescuers worked through the night using cranes, excavators, and their bare hands, forming human chains and passing buckets filled with debris according to India Today. Throughout the affected region, rescue workers called for silence during operations so they could listen for trapped survivors Cbsnews and indiatoday.in.
Displacement, Aftershocks, and Infrastructure Challenges
Thousands of people were left homeless, prompting authorities across the coffee-growing region to convert sports arenas, schools, and other public buildings into shelters for displaced residents Cbsnews. In Pereira and Cali, families slept in parks out of fear of aftershocks or because their homes were destroyed Cbsnews. Colombia’s geological service documented 130 aftershocks following the initial quake Cbsnews.
Infrastructure impairments further hampered the disaster response. Six small airports in western Colombia suspended operations, and upcoming football matches were postponed according to SBS News. In the epicenter region of Choco, official response efforts were complicated by deep poverty, civil warfare, lost cell service, and remote communities accessible only by river Cbsnews.
International Response and Regional Aid
Tons of aid from regional partners began arriving in Colombia as the government and civil society worked to assist affected communities Cbsnews. International leaders expressed solidarity and offered support. United States secretary of state Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. was monitoring the earthquake and stood ready to support Colombia according to SBS News. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had mobilized its Copernicus satellite service to assist with rescue operations and remained ready to provide further support as reported by SBS News, while Mexico, Ecuador, and France also offered assistance.
