Colombia Declares Three Days of Mourning After Deadliest Earthquake in a Century Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a catastrophic earthquake that killed over 200 people and left thousands missing, marking one of the country’s worst natural disasters in modern history. The magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck western Colombia on Monday, flattened buildings, damaged infrastructure, and triggered more than 100 aftershocks in the days that followed. Rescue operations continue as teams work tirelessly to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble, with the government urging citizens to remain hopeful amid the unfolding crisis. The disaster has placed immense pressure on President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just three days prior to the earthquake. The first-time president, who came to power after a contentious election, now faces his first major challenge as the nation grapples with the aftermath. Government officials confirmed at least 254 deaths, with over 2,500 injured and 195 people officially missing. However, civilian-run databases suggest the number of unaccounted individuals could be as high as 4,000. The search for survivors has intensified as the disaster enters its third day. Aid agencies emphasize that the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for locating people alive under collapsed structures, though survival times can extend if victims have access to water and food. Rescue crews have been working around the clock in the hardest-hit cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. In Cali, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, with residents and firefighters collaborating to clear debris using hand tools, shovels, and even bare hands.#colombia #cali #president_abelardo_de_la_espriella #choco #pereira
Colombia Earthquake Kills Over 100, Triggers State of National Disaster A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others as dozens of buildings collapsed. The disaster, the largest to hit the country in this century, prompted President Abelardo de la Espriella to declare a state of national disaster, deploying government resources to rescue survivors, assist affected communities, and deliver aid. The president emphasized that the priority was to free people trapped under rubble, with over 1,600 buildings damaged, including at least 61 that fully collapsed. The earthquake, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time in the remote Chocó region, was felt as far as the capital Bogotá and neighboring countries Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. The epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar, a community of about 4,800 people, and was followed by two aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8 on the Richter scale. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate survivors, with reports of extensive damage in cities like Pereira, where at least 40 people were killed, and Valle del Cauca, where 27 deaths were confirmed, including three children. Local officials reported varying casualty figures, with the death toll initially estimated at over 100 before being revised to 22. However, the most recent count stood at 111 fatalities, with the hardest-hit areas including Pereira, Chocó, and Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city. In Pereira, the mayor declared a state of emergency, while the governor of Chocó confirmed 12 deaths and 84 injuries in the largely rural region. Rescue efforts in Cali, where at least 15 people were reported dead, involved firefighters and volunteers working to free trapped individuals from collapsed structures.#colombia #president_abelardo_de_la_espriella #choco #san_jose_del_palmar #pereira
