Colombia quake death toll hits 265, as rescuers race against the clock
Tonnes of aid from regional partners began to roll into Colombia on Wednesday, as the search for survivors in the rubble of a powerful earthquake grew more desperate after the temblor razed buildings, buckled roads and crushed cars. The devastation has tested Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, and his government as it scrambles to respond to the disaster and civil society as it…
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's west on Monday, resulting in at least 265 deaths and nearly 500 people reported missing. The devastation affected over 25,800 families, as rescue teams raced against time to find survivors in the hardest-hit cities of Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. Aid agencies emphasized the critical importance of the first 48 to 72 hours for retrieving and rescuing survivors, as time is of the essence, especially if those trapped have access to food and water.
In Pereira, a young woman named Daniela Largo was successfully rescued from the rubble after a 12-hour operation. The Colombian government and civil society organizations are working tirelessly to provide shelter, food, water, and medical care to the affected communities. While the probability of another similar earthquake in the area is low, seismologists warn of the possibility of future seismic activity in Colombia's active fault lines.
The ongoing crises of poverty and civil warfare in certain regions have further complicated the response efforts, making the humanitarian situation even more severe. International aid organizations and governments are stepping up their support, with the US offering over $15 million in aid, Mexico sending food and security forces, and the Vatican expressing solidarity with the affected communities.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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