A Week On, Colombia’s Quake Toll Is Still Moving
Seven days after a magnitude 7.4 quake hit Chocó, the official count is still being revised in both directions — and the politics has arrived. The post A Week On, Colombia’s Quake Toll Is Still Moving appeared first on The Rio Times .
Seven days after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Chocó, Colombia, the official death toll remains fluctuating, causing political speculation. After 10 August, the toll climbed and then dropped again. As of 16 August, 287 people were confirmed dead, with 4,147 injured and 194 missing. The national disaster agency UNGRD provides these updates periodically, not in real-time. The gap between the number of dead and injured suggests future changes to the tally.
The destruction is extensive, affecting 26,392 homes and 127,608 structures, including 197 buildings that collapsed. Nearly 500 municipalities across 15 departments were impacted. Public buildings, such as 3,207 schools, 304 health centres, and 410 roads, also suffered damage.
Initial numbers varied: 294 on 15 August, 287 on 16 August. Multiple counts contributed to inaccuracies, as individuals might appear on several lists. Duplicate counts are being eliminated as confirmation progresses. The search phase ended in Chocó on 12 August, while nationally, 194 people remain unaccounted for. Politics entered the scene with a censure motion against Housing Minister Jaime Andrés Beltrán due to photos showing him at a beach during the emergency. His decision-making may delay rebuilding efforts.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
