Colombia death toll climbs as rescue efforts intensify after 7.4-magnitude quake
The death count from the western Colombia earthquake has risen to at least 265, with thousands missing, as national authorities and international aid groups scramble to locate survivors and provide shelter.
At least 265 people have been confirmed dead after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, President Abelardo de la Espriella said on Wednesday. Official figures list nearly 500 missing, while civilian databases report more than 4,100 disappearances, affecting over 25,800 families.
Rescue teams continue to search rubble in the hardest-hit cities of Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó, where the first 48 to 72 hours are considered critical for finding survivors. "Our efforts are focused on the disappeared," de la Espriella told journalists in Bogotá.
Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder warned that the next 20 hours are vital for saving lives, emphasizing that every minute counts. Volunteers and army units have been using specialized equipment and search dogs, prompting moments of celebration when signs of life are detected.
In Pereira, rescuers freed 32-year-old Daniela Largo after a 12-hour operation, while other victims were recovered deceased. Volunteers have formed human bucket brigades to move debris, and shelters have been set up in schools, sports arenas and parks for thousands displaced by the quake.
The Colombian Geological Service has recorded 130 aftershocks, and seismologist Rodrigo León Loya noted that while another quake of similar magnitude in the same area is unlikely, the country’s many fault lines make future seismic events probable.
Humanitarian agencies, already present in the conflict-affected Chocó region, have shifted to disaster response. U.N. resident coordinator María José Torres said their on-the-ground presence has “increased exponentially.” The United States has deployed disaster response teams and pledged more than $15 million in aid. Mexico sent two military aircraft with 19.5 tons of food and security personnel, and announced additional aid shipments. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele offered two planes carrying 100 tons of assistance, while the Vatican expressed solidarity with the Colombian people.