Colombia scrambles for survivors after deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake
In the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake, Colombia unites in a race against time to rescue survivors, amid widespread destruction and looming uncertainties.
Pereira, Colombia - A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck several cities across Colombia's picturesque coffee region and Pacific coast on Monday morning, claiming at least 111 lives. The quake, which struck shortly after 7:30 am local time, caused extensive damage to at least 1,500 buildings and sent residents fleeing in panic.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and pledged a concerted rescue effort. In Cali, volunteers quickly donned tools and their own hands to search for survivors, with one rescuer recalling the emotional moment when a trapped man and baby were pulled from the wreckage. Rescuers formed human chains to remove debris while listening for any signs of life.
Hospitals in five Colombian cities were placed on red alert, and a nighttime curfew was declared in Cali. The US offered $15.5 million in emergency relief, and the EU utilized its Copernicus satellite service to aid in rescue operations. The quake was felt across Colombia, including the capital Bogota, and even reached neighboring Ecuador and Panama.
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