Rescue teams are searching through collapsed buildings in western Colombia after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 132 people, injured hundreds and caused widespread destruction.
The earthquake struck on Monday, with Cali, Pereira and parts of the Choco region among the worst affected areas. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as emergency workers reach remote communities and assess the full extent of the damage.
Officials said at least 40 people were killed in the Risaralda region, while deaths were also reported in Cali, Choco, Caldas and Antioquia. More than 700 people were reported injured in Valle del Cauca, while about 1,600 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Several floors of a hospital in Cali collapsed, trapping patients and forcing hundreds of others to receive treatment outside amid rubble. Rescue workers and volunteers have been digging through debris by hand, while firefighters, soldiers, search dogs and heavy equipment have been deployed to locate survivors.
Four people, including two women and two children, were rescued from a collapsed building in Cali. In Pereira, rescuers were also reported to be in contact with a boy trapped beneath a bakery.
The earthquake’s epicentre was near San José del Palmar in Choco, a remote area where access is difficult because many communities can only be reached by boat or aircraft. Authorities have deployed additional rescue teams and engineers to assess the damage.
Colombia’s Geological Service reported dozens of aftershocks and warned that further tremors were possible. The government declared a national state of emergency and imposed nighttime curfews in several cities amid concerns over looting.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office days before the earthquake, said rescuing people trapped under rubble was the government’s immediate priority and ordered the mobilisation of security forces and emergency personnel.
The international community has also offered assistance. The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency aid for shelters, food and other relief, while the European Union activated its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue operations. El Salvador and Mexico also offered rescue teams, medical personnel and supplies.
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