Earthquake response strains Colombia's new government and rescuers as they race against the clock

A powerful earthquake has struck Colombia, killing close to 250 people and injuring 3,770. The 7.4-magnitude quake, which occurred on Monday, destroyed over 9,550 homes and impacted more than 30,300 families. In Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, at least 95 people were killed and nearly 1,000 injured, while in Pereira, 79 deaths were reported.

Rescue teams are racing against time to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings, with Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder warning that there is less than a day left of the critical 72-hour window during which chances of finding quake survivors are greater. According to PBS NewsHour, tons of aid from regional partners have begun to roll into Colombia as the search for survivors grows more desperate.

The port of Buenaventura has been affected, with Maersk temporarily suspending terminal operations, and vessel operations, cargo handling, and service schedules impacted. The Colombian music industry is also rallying to support families hit by the quake, with a charity concert planned in Medellín and another in Miami, featuring artists such as Luis Alfonso, Kapo, and Marc Anthony.

Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, The Rio Times, Hellenic Shipping News, Hindustan Times - World News, CBS News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.