Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 181 as new president declares emergency
Infrastructure collapse and over 70 aftershocks hamper rescue efforts in western Colombia, with international aid pledged by the United States, Spain and Ecuador.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, killing at least 181 people and injuring nearly 2,600 others. The disaster occurred just three days after Abelardo de la Espriella assumed the presidency, prompting the new leader to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams deploy to the hardest-hit regions.
The epicentre of the tremor was located near San Jose del Palmar, causing significant infrastructure collapse in cities including Cali, Pereira and Manizales. More than 1,100 homes have been destroyed, complicating emergency response efforts. The event has been described by The Economist as revealing deep divisions within the country, testing the new administration’s capacity to manage a crisis shortly after taking power.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the quake struck on Monday. In a notable development, a 32-year-old woman was successfully extracted after being trapped under rubble for 36 hours. However, the search for survivors continues to face challenges due to the widespread damage to buildings and roads.
The region has experienced more than 70 aftershocks, including two measuring magnitude 3.6. In response to the ongoing seismic activity, curfews have been imposed in Calima and Cali from 20:00 to 06:00 to maintain order and facilitate recovery efforts.
International support has begun to flow in. The United States has pledged $15.5 million in aid, while Spain and Ecuador have also offered assistance. As the death toll rises and the full extent of the damage becomes clearer, the focus remains on stabilising the affected areas and supporting the newly installed government’s response to the catastrophe.
