As search for thousands of missing pushes on, Colombia earthquake tests new president

Rescue efforts in Colombia intensified Tuesday as the nation grappled with the aftermath of a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western regions on Monday, leaving thousands missing. The quake triggered widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, buckling roads, and crushing vehicles. Rescue crews and civilians worked tirelessly to sift through rubble, retrieving survivors and assessing damage.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed at least 181 deaths and 2,595 injuries, with 195 people still missing, though local databases suggest the missing may exceed 4,000. Choco region, particularly its capital and smaller communities along the Atrato River, bore the brunt of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble and aftershocks continuing to terrify residents.

President de la Espriella mobilized the military and police, as well as engineers and rescue workers, to aid in the disaster response. The government's efforts were criticized for being concentrated in the capital, with limited reach to remote, rural areas only accessible by boat or air. Families of missing individuals posted information on citizen-run websites, hoping for updates on their loved ones.