Colombia searches for over 3,000 missing after powerful earthquake kills more than 100

Bogota, Colombia - In the aftermath of a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday, search and rescue operations have commenced across numerous cities and towns in the region. As of now, over 3,000 people are reported missing, with at least 179 fatalities confirmed in the cities of Cali, Pereira, Choco, and Manizalez.

The federal government's previous estimates, updated on Monday, put the death toll at a minimum of 111. Approximately 1,600 buildings suffered damage or collapsed in the disaster. Troops, rescue teams, and families are painstakingly sifting through the debris, removing large chunks of concrete manually from piles of volunteers. Choco, the region where the quake's epicenter was located, is Colombia's poorest and most neglected area, frequently plagued by conflict between armed factions.

Access to many parts of Choco is limited to boats, jungle routes, or aircraft, making it difficult to fully assess the extent of the damage. President Abelardo De la Espriella visited Choco's capital, Quibdo, on Monday night and declared the mobilization of the entire military and police force to aid in the response efforts.