Rescuers scramble for survivors with 180 dead in Colombia earthquake

A devastating earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life. The powerful magnitude 7.4 quake hit at 07:34 local time, causing widespread damage and claiming over 180 lives. The hardest hit cities were Cali and Pereira, with Cali alone reporting 95 fatalities. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster.

As of Tuesday, the death toll had risen to 181, with nearly 2,600 injured and approximately 200 people still missing. Over 1,100 homes were destroyed, and more than 8,000 sustained damage. The magnitude of the quake was felt across a vast area, prompting aftershocks that continued to reverberate across the region. In Cali, a unified command post was established to coordinate the rescue efforts.

The city's mayor, Alejandro Eder, reported that 239 people remained trapped, with 949 injured and 45 buildings either completely or partially collapsed, including a hospital that saw some of its upper floors collapse, leaving patients inside. To prevent looting, a curfew was imposed in Cali, starting at 20:00 local time and lasting until 06:00 the following morning.

Aftershocks continued to be felt across Colombia on Tuesday, with more than 70 tremors recorded by the country's geological service. In Pereira, 79 people had died, and 60 buildings partially or totally collapsed. Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas of Manizales stated that five people were killed, and 60 buildings were affected by partial or total collapse.

The international community offered support and aid, with the UN Secretary-General expressing solidarity, Spain pledging $15.5 million, and several neighboring countries extending assistance.