Colombia earthquake leaves hundreds trapped as death toll rises

Tuesday 11 - 16:01

By: Azzat Manal

Colombia earthquake leaves hundreds trapped as death toll rises

A powerful earthquake in western Colombia has left hundreds of people trapped beneath collapsed structures, while rescue teams continue searching for survivors in several affected cities.

According to preliminary figures released by Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder, at least 239 people were reported trapped under rubble in the city. The disaster had also left 949 people injured and 95 dead, while dozens of buildings and homes suffered partial or complete structural damage. Rescue teams had reportedly managed to recover 86 people as emergency operations continued.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department on Monday morning. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including parts of neighboring Ecuador and Panama, highlighting the scale of the seismic event.

The disaster caused extensive damage in several urban areas. In Pereira alone, dozens of buildings were reported to have collapsed, while authorities introduced restrictions in some affected areas as emergency services worked to secure damaged neighborhoods and assist residents.

Search-and-rescue operations remain underway in Cali and other affected communities. Emergency teams are facing difficult conditions as they inspect unstable structures and remove debris in an effort to locate people who may still be alive. Authorities have warned that casualty figures could change as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available.

International support has also been offered to Colombia. The United States, Mexico, Israel and Ecuador have expressed their willingness to assist the country with emergency and rescue efforts. The European Union has also indicated that its Copernicus satellite system could be used to provide imagery and information to support disaster-response operations.

The earthquake has placed additional pressure on local authorities already dealing with extensive infrastructure damage and displaced residents. Emergency services are prioritizing search operations, medical assistance and the assessment of buildings considered unsafe.

The disaster has also renewed attention on earthquake preparedness across the region, where several countries are exposed to significant seismic risks. Authorities and emergency organizations are expected to continue assessing the structural damage and humanitarian needs as rescue efforts move forward.

For families waiting for news of relatives who remain unaccounted for, the coming hours will be critical. Rescue teams are continuing their work amid hopes of finding more survivors beneath the rubble.