Key facts
- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar.
- The earthquake has resulted in over 200 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries.
- Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams searching through rubble for survivors.
- The quake caused significant damage to infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals.
- Over 2,700 people have been reported missing.
- The United States has pledged $15.5 million in aid to support relief efforts.
Rescue efforts are underway in western Colombia after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds. The quake, which hit near San José del Palmar, has caused widespread destruction, reducing multi-story buildings to rubble in cities like Pereira and Cali, and damaging a historic cathedral in Manizales.
In Cali, at least 85 people were killed, and several upper floors of a hospital, including pediatric wards, collapsed. Approximately 600 patients were treated on a rubble-strewn street following the hospital's collapse. Rescue teams, joined by soldiers, have been working through the night and into their second day, sifting through debris with excavators and their bare hands to find survivors.
Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further as teams reach more devastated areas. More than 2,700 people have been reported missing by Monday night. The United States has announced $15.5 million in aid to support the quake-hit regions.