A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck western Colombia on Monday morning, killing at least 250 people and leaving thousands injured and homeless. Rescue teams raced against time to locate survivors trapped under rubble, two days after the disaster devastated towns and cities in the coffee-growing region. The tremors, which were felt across parts of the country, caused widespread destruction, with over 9,550 homes destroyed and more than 30,300 families affected. In the city of Cali, the third-largest in Colombia, over 56 buildings collapsed, resulting in at least 95 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. In Pereira, located near the epicenter, at least 79 people lost their lives, according to reports from local authorities. The quake struck just days after President Abelardo De La Espriella took office, having narrowly defeated his predecessor’s leftist candidate on a platform focused on reducing public spending and increasing security. The president visited the hardest-hit areas early in the week, promising aid to those displaced and without jobs. However, the disaster has already tested his administration, with critics questioning whether the government was adequately prepared for such a crisis. Local officials have imposed curfews to prevent looting, while international aid efforts continue despite initial claims by the government that they had rejected foreign assistance offers. Rescue operations in Cali concentrated on seven buildings where survivors might still be trapped. In the Torres del Limón complex in the southern part of the city, residents worked alongside military personnel and municipal workers to clear debris using chains, bulldozers, and manual labor. Camilo Cano, a firefighter from Bogotá, told Reuters that rescue efforts became more organized after police began restricting access to volunteers. Meanwhile, in Pereira, a 49-year-old nurse named Indira Meneses described how her home collapsed, trapping her and her children inside. Her neighbors helped them escape, but she recounted the trauma of losing a friend who died under the rubble. “We await help from local authorities to rebuild and compensate for what we’ve lost,” she said, adding that no one had yet arrived to assist. The earthquake has also disrupted key infrastructure, including airports and transportation routes. In Buenaventura, port authorities temporarily halted operations as inspectors assessed damage to critical roads. Despite this, exports continued through Caribbean ports, as Colombia remains the world’s third-largest producer of coffee. The agricultural sector, which supports hundreds of thousands of households, faces severe challenges due to the destruction of farms and loss of livelihoods. The national federation of coffee producers is currently assessing the extent of the damage, while rescue teams struggle to navigate unstable terrain in the jungle region of Chocó, where many indigenous communities remain without power or basic services. International aid organizations have begun delivering supplies from Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador, coordinated by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula. Mexican search-and-rescue team leader Topos Azteca confirmed that they had arrived directly from Venezuela, which had been hit by two destructive earthquakes earlier in June. In addition to physical relief, emotional support has become crucial as survivors recount harrowing experiences. Rosa González, who escaped with her infant daughter from a hotel in Pereira, described how the building collapsed behind them. She held onto a cat that rescuers later retrieved during the night. Though eight people managed to flee safely, she fears one elderly man may still be trapped and among the dead. The disaster has also sparked concern over potential aftershocks, with over 100 recorded within 24 hours. Many residents have taken refuge outdoors, fearing further quakes could trigger landslides or collapse additional structures. In Cali, some neighborhoods remain without electricity or clean water, forcing families to rely on makeshift shelters. Alberto Machado, a 34-year-old father, described how his son was left alone at school while he and his family returned home. Their house was completely destroyed, so his wife, mother-in-law, and two young children spent the night with relatives. At a community center preparing to shelter 60 people, including 30 elderly residents from a damaged retirement home, volunteers distributed food and medical supplies. Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact extends beyond immediate survival concerns. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the earthquake could lead to new displacement, especially given the ongoing conflict and migration crises in the region. “For internally displaced persons and refugees trying to rebuild their lives, this earthquake could become another wave of displacement on top of previous ones,” said UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun. The situation remains dire, with over 400 people still missing and tens of thousands of homes either severely damaged or entirely destroyed. As rescue teams work tirelessly to find survivors, the long-term recovery effort will require sustained international support and domestic coordination.
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