Colombia Earthquake Leaves 111 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia has killed at least 111 people, while rescuers search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The Colombia earthquake struck western parts of the country on Monday, shaking Cali, Quibdo, Pereira and several other cities and towns. Authorities reported damage to about 1,600 buildings as soldiers, rescue workers and residents worked through the rubble by hand.

More than 2,700 people had been reported missing by Monday night, with families using citizen-run websites to share information about relatives they could not locate.

The Colombia earthquake caused severe damage in Choco, one of the country’s poorest and most isolated regions. Authorities said about 80 per cent of El Cairo, a town of around 7,000 people, suffered damage. Difficult terrain and limited access have made it harder to determine the full scale of destruction.

President Abelardo de la Espriella travelled to Quibdo to assess the situation and ordered the deployment of military and police personnel, engineers, rescue teams and search dogs. The government also announced rental support for residents whose homes were damaged.

The United States pledged $15.5 million for emergency shelter, food and other assistance, while governments across Latin America also offered support.

Families remain desperate for news of missing relatives. Dana Carolina Zamora said her 60-year-old uncle, Miguel Ángel Zamora, remained unaccounted for in El Cairo.

“It was shocking — the city fell down around us,” said Mónica Sánchez, whose factory in Pereira suffered damage.

The Colombia earthquake now presents a major test for the country’s newly sworn-in president as rescue and recovery operations continue.

How can Colombia best support affected families during the rescue and recovery process?