- A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, killing more than 200 people.
- By Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 aftershocks had been recorded.
- Colombia has declared three days of national mourning, with flags lowered to half-staff at official buildings and embassies.
- President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of emergency and promised rent subsidies for families who lost their homes.
- The United States has announced $15.5m in emergency aid and is deploying urban search-and-rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California.
- The European Union has pledged $2.3m, while Mexico has offered hundreds of search and health workers, and El Salvador said it would send two planes carrying 100 tonnes of aid.
- The disaster is also a challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days before the earthquake.
- Government figures put the number of injured at 2,595 and the number officially missing at 195, although civilian-run databases suggested the number unaccounted for could be closer to 4,000.
- Rescue crews worked through the night in hardest-hit cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo, using cranes, search dogs, and heavy machinery.
- The full scale of destruction is still unclear, particularly in rural areas like Choco near the epicentre, one of the poorest regions.
- Part of the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali collapsed, forcing doctors to move patients into a parking lot and treat some people outside.
- Thousands have brought food, water, and supplies, while long lines formed outside blood donation centres.
- Aid agencies said the first 48 to 72 hours are generally the most critical for finding people alive beneath collapsed buildings.
Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Monday, killing over 200 people and injuring 2,595.138
Rescue crews are racing against time to find survivors beneath the rubble, with more than 100 aftershocks recorded by Tuesday afternoon.2
The government has reported 195 people officially missing, but civilian databases suggest the number could be closer to 4,000.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days before the quake, has declared a state of emergency and promised rent subsidies for families who lost their homes.47
In the hardest-hit cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo, crews are working tirelessly, using cranes, search dogs, and heavy machinery, while volunteers form human chains to clear debris.
The full scale of the destruction remains unclear, especially in rural areas like Choco, which are difficult to access due to ongoing violence and geographical challenges.10
The U.S. has committed $15.5 million in emergency aid, deploying urban search-and-rescue teams, while the EU has pledged $2.3 million.
Mexico and El Salvador are also contributing resources, with the latter sending two planes carrying 100 tonnes of aid.6
Thousands of residents have come together to provide food, water, and supplies to affected neighborhoods, demonstrating resilience in the face of tragedy.
“More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded, complicating rescue efforts in cities like Cali and Pereira. The government reports 2,595 injured and 195 missing, though civilian databases suggest up to 4,000 unaccounted for, with Choco's remote communities still unreachable.”
