A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, triggering an urgent response from rescue teams across the affected region. The tremor claimed at least 132 lives and left thousands unaccounted for, with authorities warning that the death toll may continue to rise as search operations proceed. Multiple cities including Cali, Pereira, and Quibdo experienced severe damage, with approximately 1,600 structures either damaged or completely collapsed.
Search and rescue operations are proceeding at an accelerated pace as workers and volunteers comb through rubble in hopes of locating survivors. In El Cairo, situated near the epicenter, approximately 80 percent of the town has sustained damage. Rescue personnel, soldiers, and local residents are working together, manually clearing debris and using basic equipment to uncover those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Citizens have also turned to online platforms to post information about missing family members, with over 2,700 individuals reported missing by Monday evening.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just days before the disaster, has mobilized the nation’s full military and police resources to assist affected communities. The government has deployed engineers, rescue teams, and trained search dogs to the hardest-hit areas. International assistance is also arriving, with the United States committing $15.5 million in emergency aid, and neighboring nations offering additional support to help Colombia’s western region recover from this catastrophic event.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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