The race against time in Colombia: 265 dead and nearly 500 missing in the earthquake
Search efforts for survivors of the severe earthquake in Colombia continue, with 496 people still classified as missing. "This is undoubtedly a tragedy of enormous proportions," said Colombian President Abelardo de la Asprilla.
The death toll from the severe earthquake that struck Colombia continues to rise, as rescue teams conduct a race against time in an attempt to locate survivors under the rubble. According to the latest data provided overnight by Colombian President Abelardo de la Asprilla, at least 265 people have died and 496 are still classified as missing. The presidency also reported 3,494 injured, while Reuters cited emergency officials who estimated the number of injured at approximately 3,770.
The 7.4 magnitude quake occurred on Monday morning, and its epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department. The cities of Cali and Pereira suffered particularly severe damage. According to Reuters, at least 83 people died in Pereira and 74 in Cali. Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged, roads were blocked, and public buildings, schools, and hospitals were affected.
President de la Asprilla, who took office just days before the disaster, declared an economic state of emergency and the establishment of a special reconstruction fund.
"This is undoubtedly a tragedy of enormous proportions," he said in an address to the nation, emphasizing that "our efforts are focused on those who are still missing."
According to him, the government is mobilizing all national capabilities and is also utilizing international aid that has begun to arrive in the country.
In Cali, searches continued in several collapsed buildings, as rescue teams tried to utilize the critical 72-hour window, during which the chances of finding trapped people alive are higher. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder warned that time is running out. At the same time, more than 130 aftershocks have been recorded since the main quake, and the fear of another strong tremor is complicating the rescuers' work.
Alongside the disaster, there were also moments of hope. In Pereira, 32-year-old Daniela was rescued alive after nearly 38 hours under the rubble of a four-story building. Her father, Julio Cesar Largo, said that her rescue was for him like "the day she was born again." According to him, she went missing on the very day of her son's twelfth birthday, and the family had already feared the worst.
In Palmira, families waited outside the morgue to identify their loved ones. Santiago Jorda, who lost his mother and 13-month-old daughter in the quake, said: "My daughter was a dream come true. My mother was the pillar of the family." Another resident, Ricardo, who arrived from Miami to receive his sister's body, praised the doctors and rescuers and said: "There are heroes there who are helping to bring back our family members."
The disaster has affected at least 25,872 families, totaling more than 53 thousand people. According to data provided on Wednesday, 11,347 homes were destroyed and 140 buildings collapsed. In several cities, a night curfew was imposed due to fears of looting. Rescue and aid teams from Mexico and Peru have already arrived in the country, and other nations, including the USA, Brazil, and Israel, have announced aid. Authorities warned that the number of casualties may rise as searches progress in isolated areas.
