Rescuers scramble for survivors with 180 dead in Colombia earthquake

Rescuers in Colombia raced against time on Tuesday to locate survivors buried beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings following a powerful earthquake that struck the nation early Monday. At least 180 people have been confirmed dead, with many more feared lost in the cities of Cali and Pereira, two of the hardest-hit areas. The quake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, occurred at 07:34 local time on Monday and was felt over a vast region spanning hundreds of miles across western Colombia. Fresh aftershocks continued to shake the area through Tuesday, complicating rescue efforts and raising fears of further damage. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency shortly after the disaster, acknowledging during a press conference in Pereira that nearly 2,600 people had been injured and approximately 200 individuals remained missing. More than 1,100 homes had been completely destroyed, while over 8,000 others sustained significant damage. Many residents in affected regions spent the night outside, either because their homes were destroyed or due to concerns about additional structural failures. Cali, a city with a population of 2.2 million, recorded 95 fatalities, according to local authorities. A unified command post was established to coordinate search-and-rescue operations. Mayor Alejandro Eder reported that 239 people were still trapped in the wreckage, with 949 injured and 45 buildings either fully or partially collapsed. Several upper floors of a hospital specializing in pediatric care in the Calima neighborhood fell, trapping some patients inside. Four children perished when part of the Gimnasio Calima school collapsed, and another 30 children required medical attention at nearby centers. To prevent looting, a curfew was imposed in the area, beginning at 20:00 local time and ending at 06:00 on Wednesday. Residents described the chaos gripping the city. One man from the Parque Industrial neighborhood near Pereira’s airport recounted how the ground shook violently, causing buildings to crumble in the city center. “It’s impossible to get around the city center,” he said. “At least one building collapsed in Bolívar Square, and there are structures where buses and trucks are trapped. People are afraid these might collapse too.” He added that the experience left everyone in shock. “It was really awful.” In Manizales, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas reported five deaths and noted that 60 buildings had partially or entirely collapsed. He warned residents to avoid sharing unverified information on social media, emphasizing that such content could spread panic unnecessarily. Meanwhile, international aid began flowing into the affected regions. The United Nations expressed solidarity with Colombia and pledged to assist in the recovery efforts. Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed that 164 Spanish nationals were still missing, though no injuries or deaths among them had been reported yet. The U.S. government, which supported President de la Espriella during his recent election victory, announced a $15.5 million contribution to relief efforts. Additional assistance offers came from neighboring countries including Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, and Venezuela. As the situation continues to evolve, rescuers remain focused on locating those still trapped, while communities grapple with the aftermath of the devastating quake.