A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake has devastated western Colombia, killing more than 250 people and leaving thousands affected as rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors.
The earthquake struck on Monday, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó, according to authorities. The powerful tremor was felt across a large part of the country and caused widespread destruction in several cities, including Cali and Pereira.
Colombian authorities declared a state of emergency as the scale of the disaster became clearer. Hundreds of buildings were damaged or destroyed, while roads, hospitals, airports and other critical infrastructure were also affected.
Cali and Pereira Among Worst-Hit Areas
The cities of Cali and Pereira suffered some of the heaviest damage from the earthquake.
Reuters reported that Pereira recorded 101 deaths while Cali reported 95 fatalities, although figures continue to change as emergency workers reach affected communities.
Parts of a hospital in Cali collapsed, forcing medical staff to treat patients outside as emergency services struggled to cope with the disaster.
Buildings were reduced to rubble in several areas, leaving families searching desperately for relatives who remain missing.
Thousands Feared Missing
Rescue operations are continuing across the affected region, with thousands of people reported missing or feared trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Soldiers, emergency workers and volunteers are using heavy machinery and, in some locations, their bare hands to search through the rubble.
The difficult terrain around Chocó and damage to roads and communications have made it particularly challenging for rescue teams to reach some communities.
Officials have warned that the death toll could continue to rise as more damaged areas are assessed.
State of Emergency Declared
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an emergency following the disaster and ordered government agencies to mobilise resources for rescue and relief operations.
The government is working with local authorities and emergency services to provide medical assistance, evacuate residents from unsafe structures and restore essential services.
International assistance has also begun arriving. The United States has pledged financial support, while the Inter-American Development Bank has announced additional assistance for recovery efforts.
Strongest Earthquake in Decades
The 7.4-magnitude Colombia earthquake is being described as one of the country’s strongest seismic events in decades.
The tremor caused extensive structural damage and was followed by numerous aftershocks, increasing concerns about already weakened buildings.
Several airports temporarily suspended operations for safety inspections, while disruptions to electricity, communications and transportation complicated the emergency response.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Emergency teams are racing against time to locate survivors as the search continues through collapsed buildings.
Authorities are also assessing the wider economic and humanitarian impact of the disaster, with thousands of people displaced from their homes.
For many families, the immediate priority remains finding missing relatives and receiving medical treatment and emergency shelter.
As rescue operations continue, officials are expected to provide updated casualty figures and damage assessments.
The full scale of the Colombia earthquake disaster may take days to determine, particularly in remote areas where access remains difficult.
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Suggested Headline: Colombia Earthquake Kills Hundreds as 7.4-Magnitude Quake Devastates Western Region
