Colombia Declares 30-Day Emergency After 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 319, Leaves 260 Missing

Bogota, August 20 - President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia has just issued a decree declaring a 30-day state of emergency across areas devastated by a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on August 10. The sweeping decree, signed during a cabinet meeting in Bogota, affects 15 departments, including Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas.

The government is desperate to respond to the gravity of the situation, aiming to rebuild homes, infrastructure, businesses, and restore essential public facilities like schools and hospitals.

The president explained that Colombia is grappling with its most challenging fiscal period since the republic's inception, necessitating extraordinary measures. In a bid to meet current national needs, the government plans to cut spending on non-priority programs initiated by the previous administration. Simultaneously, they are making sure vulnerable citizens are not adversely affected.

As of Wednesday evening, the death toll from the catastrophic event stands at 319, with 4,469 injured and 260 people still missing. A total of 364 individuals have been rescued so far. The disaster has affected 476 municipalities spread across 15 departments, impacting around 272,830 people. Search and rescue operations persist, with national and international teams tirelessly combing through the rubble to locate the missing.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry reported that over 220 tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered, and 144 international specialists have joined the emergency response efforts. Many affected residents are still residing in temporary shelters and tents in the severely hit areas of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Choco.