Woman rescued alive from rubble nearly 30 hours after earthquake in Colombia

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck Colombia on Monday, resulting in over 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The disaster, which occurred around 7:34 local time near the town of San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, triggered widespread panic and structural damage across several cities. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and ordered the establishment of a joint crisis coordination center in San José del Palmar to manage relief efforts and assess urgent humanitarian needs. Initial reports suggest that the death toll could rise further as search operations continue. The epicenter was located approximately 107 kilometers deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), while the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) placed it slightly shallower at 96 kilometers. The tremors were felt in multiple regions, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and even neighboring countries such as Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. In Cali, one of the hardest-hit areas, at least 30 buildings collapsed, with more suspected victims trapped beneath the rubble. Emergency workers used drones to survey the damage, while authorities confirmed that power and communication systems were disrupted in several locations. In the city of Pereira, part of the coffee-growing region of Risaralda, officials initially reported 47 fatalities, though this number may increase as rescue teams continue their work. The mayor of Pereira, Mauricio Salazar, described the situation as critical, emphasizing the need for immediate assistance. Similarly, in Manizales, three people died after ten to twelve buildings collapsed, and the cathedral’s tower sustained severe damage. In Cali, over 20 buildings reportedly fell, with residents trapped inside. The governor of the Valle del Cauca department, Dilian Francisca Toro, noted that at least 27 people lost their lives there, including three children. The impact extended beyond urban centers. In the coastal city of Quibdó, located in the Chocó region, four deaths were reported, along with extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure. Local authorities warned that aftershocks remained a concern, with a magnitude 4.6 quake recorded shortly after the main shock in the nearby town of Novita. The regional governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, expressed alarm over the ongoing seismic activity and its effect on communities already struggling with the initial devastation. Emergency services have been working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide medical aid. In Cali, hospital staff reported that nearly 600 patients had to be treated outdoors due to the collapse of parts of the facility. Volunteers and firefighters manually cleared debris in hopes of finding trapped individuals. The government has deployed over 1,000 security personnel to assist with recovery efforts and prevent looting amid growing concerns about social unrest. President de la Espriella announced his intention to travel personally to Pereira to oversee the response. The earthquake follows a series of major quakes in neighboring Venezuela earlier this year, which claimed over 6,000 lives. This latest disaster underscores the vulnerability of densely populated urban areas to seismic activity, particularly in regions with older infrastructure. International support has been pledged, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva offering assistance to Colombia. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with rescuers continuing to sift through rubble in affected zones. The exact final casualty count remains uncertain, but preliminary figures indicate that the death toll could surpass 160, with over 570 injured.