Colombia earthquake damaged 40 protected sites and dozens more cultural assets, report finds
The Colombian ministry of culture has compiled a preliminary report of damage to cultural sites in the seven departments closest to the 10 August earthquake’s epicentre, and in the Unesco-designated “Coffee Cultural Region”
Colombia's culture ministry has reported that the 7.4-magnitude earthquake has damaged 40 nationally protected sites and numerous other cultural assets across the country. The hardest-hit departments include Valle del Cauca, with 23 of the 40 protected sites, and Cauca, where the historic center of Popayán suffered significant damage.
The earthquake's epicenter was in San José del Palmar, Chocó department. Beyond the 40 nationally designated sites, 84 additional movable and immovable cultural assets, including 39 religious structures, were also affected. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days before the disaster, faces the first major test of his administration.
The ministry is working to establish a network of specialists and a reconstruction plan, and has temporarily allowed emergency measures to repair and protect damaged cultural properties.
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