Key facts
- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.
- At least 181 people have died, with over 2,600 injured.
- President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency.
- Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged, and many buildings collapsed.
- Rescue efforts are underway to find survivors trapped in rubble.
Rescuers are in a race against time to find survivors in Colombia following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Monday. The quake, which hit at 07:34 local time, has resulted in at least 181 confirmed deaths, with unofficial figures suggesting the toll could be higher. The cities of Cali and Pereira have been particularly hard-hit.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of emergency. In an update from Pereira, he stated that nearly 2,600 people were injured and approximately 200 remain missing. The disaster has also left over 1,100 homes destroyed and more than 8,000 damaged. Many residents spent the night outdoors due to destroyed homes or fear of further collapses, while dozens of larger buildings have also been affected.
In Cali, a city of 2.2 million, 95 deaths have been reported. Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that 239 people were still trapped, 949 injured, and 45 buildings had partially or fully collapsed. The upper floors of a hospital, including a pediatric ward, suffered partial collapse, trapping patients. In the Calima neighborhood of Cali, four children died when a section of Gimnasio Calima school collapsed, with others sustaining serious injuries. A curfew has been imposed in Calima to combat looting.
Pereira has recorded 79 deaths, and the city has implemented a car-free day to facilitate rescue operations. Hundreds of volunteers are assisting in clearing rubble. In Manizales, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas reported five fatalities and 60 buildings with partial or total collapse.
Colombia has been experiencing numerous aftershocks, with over 70 recorded since the main earthquake, including two of magnitude 3.6 on Tuesday. The international community has offered support, with the UN expressing solidarity and Spain reporting 164 of its citizens missing. The Donald Trump administration announced a $15.5 million donation, and offers of aid have also come from Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, and Venezuela.