Cali devastation: Al Jazeera reports from earthquake rubble as death toll hits 181
Lucia Newman describes structural collapse in worst-affected city as President declares state of emergency and imposes curfew.
Al Jazeera’s Latin America Editor, Lucia Newman, has reported from the scene of significant structural collapse in Cali, Colombia, describing the devastation in the city worst-hit by a recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake. Reporting from the rubble of an apartment building, Newman provided on-the-ground accounts of the destruction in the western region, which has become the focal point of the disaster response.
The earthquake, centred near San Jose del Palmar, has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 181. The scale of the tragedy has prompted immediate governmental action, with President Abelardo de la Espriella declaring a state of emergency following the initial tremors. Rescue teams have been deployed to Cali, as well as the neighbouring cities of Pereira and Manizales, to manage the fallout and assist affected populations.
In response to the ongoing instability, authorities have implemented strict security measures. A curfew has been imposed in Calima and Cali, running from 20:00 to 06:00, to facilitate rescue operations and maintain order. The region continues to experience seismic activity, with over 70 aftershocks recorded, including two magnitude 3.6 tremors, complicating recovery efforts and posing risks to remaining structures.
The reporting highlights the severe impact on urban infrastructure, with Newman’s observations from the apartment building rubble underscoring the vulnerability of residential areas in the hardest-hit zones. As rescue teams navigate the debris, the confirmed casualty figures reflect the immediate human cost of the event, which is described as one of the largest earthquakes to strike the country in recent years.
Governance and emergency management remain the primary focus as the state of emergency remains in effect. The deployment of resources to multiple cities indicates a coordinated regional response to the crisis, while the curfew restrictions signal the government’s prioritisation of safety and operational efficiency in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
