Colombia declares state of emergency as earthquake death toll surpasses 180
President Abelardo de la Espriella activates emergency protocols as rescue operations intensify in Cali, Pereira, and Manizales following one of the region’s most significant seismic events in recent decades.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, prompting President Abelardo de la Espriella to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams mobilise across the affected regions. The tremor, centred near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, has resulted in at least 181 confirmed deaths, with aggregated figures from local officials suggesting the toll could exceed 240. Nearly 2,600 people have been injured, and approximately 200 remain unaccounted for as authorities search through rubble in Cali, Pereira, and Manizales.
The disaster has caused extensive infrastructure damage, with more than 1,100 homes destroyed and over 8,000 further damaged. In Cali, a city of 2.2 million people, 95 deaths have been recorded and 45 buildings have collapsed or sustained partial damage. The Gimnasio Calima school in the Calima neighbourhood suffered a section collapse, resulting in the deaths of four children and serious injuries to others, while a paediatric hospital in the city also experienced partial structural failure, trapping patients inside.
Pereira, identified as one of the hardest-hit cities, has reported 79 fatalities according to the local fire department. The city has implemented a car-free day to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and volunteers, who are working alongside official rescue units to extract survivors. In Manizales, five deaths have been confirmed, with 60 buildings partially or totally collapsed. Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas has urged the public to disregard unverified social media reports to prevent unnecessary alarm amidst the ongoing crisis.
Colombia’s geological service has recorded over 70 aftershocks since the initial event, including two magnitude 3.6 tremors on Tuesday. In response to rising concerns regarding public order, authorities in Calima and Cali have imposed a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00 to prevent looting. Residents in affected areas have been advised to remain outdoors or in open spaces due to fears of further structural collapses.
International support has been rapidly mobilised, with the United States pledging $15.5m in aid. The Donald Trump administration, which backed President Espriella’s election campaign earlier this year, announced the donation on Tuesday. The UN Secretary-General has expressed solidarity with the Colombian government, while offers of assistance have been received from Spain, Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, and Venezuela. Spain’s Foreign Minister reported that 164 Spanish citizens remain missing, though there are currently no confirmed injuries or deaths among them.
