West Colombia earthquake killed more than 227 people, say local authorities

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck Choco province in West Colombia on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 227 people as of the report. The death toll climbed to 120 in Valle del Cauca, where entire towns in the north were severely damaged. Rescue efforts in Cali, the capital, were hindered when locals drove Mayor Alejandro Eder away from a search and rescue operation.

Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba reported 14 deaths and 140 injuries in Quibdo and 22 affected towns. Much of the western province remains unaccounted for, as communication infrastructure was obliterated by the quake.

In Pereira, located just 60 kilometers from the epicenter, and the surrounding Risaralda province, at least 88 people perished, with dozens still missing. Major cities in coffee region, Choco and Valle del Cauca declared a state of emergency to manage the numerous injured. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that the quake destroyed over 5,000 homes and left 188 people missing.

The Colombian National Army and fire brigades extended assistance to the disaster-stricken areas, while the US Department of State pledged $15.5 million for emergency relief, including shelter, food, protection, and evaluations. The Chinese embassy in Bogota reported that Chinese firms were dispatching heavy machinery to aid in rescue missions and clearing debris, employing all available resources to rescue the affected population.