EU providing funding for Colombian earthquake response
The European Union is providing funding and helping to support rescue operations after the earthquake in Colombia yesterday that killed more than 100 people, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 224 people and causing extensive damage to buildings in coffee-growing regions. The quake, the strongest to hit the country in decades, reduced multi-story buildings to rubble in cities such as Pereira and Cali, and caused the collapse of a cathedral spire in Manizales.
Emergency teams assisted by police, soldiers and volunteers worked through the night to search for survivors using excavators and their bare hands. Rescue officials stated there was still a window of opportunity to save lives as they assessed damaged structures and removed debris. President Abelardo De La Espriella deployed 1,000 security forces to Cali, deploying curfews in affected cities due to reports of looting.
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