en.malanginspirasi.com – More than 180 people have been killed, nearly 2,600 injured, and over 1,100 homes destroyed following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that devastated western Colombia.
The casualty toll continues to climb as emergency teams clear rubble in hard-hit urban centers like Cali and Pereira, with local officials warning the final death count could surpass 240.
Quoted from BBC, President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a nationwide state of emergency to mobilize rescue operations for nearly 200 people who remain missing.
The western city of Cali bore a heavy burden from the disaster, registering 95 confirmed fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries.
A centralized command post was established to direct complex urban search-and-rescue efforts across the metropolis.
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At least 45 buildings in Cali have partially or fully collapsed.
Among the damaged structures was a major hospital, where several upper floors—including pediatric units—caved in and trapped occupants inside.
In the northern neighborhood of Calima, four children were killed during the collapse of the Gimnasio Calima school, with another 30 students hospitalized for severe injuries.
Mayor Alejandro Eder instituted a nightly 20:00 to 06:00 curfew across Cali to maintain public order and discourage looting in damaged areas.
Thousands of displaced residents across the region were spending the night outdoors, driven out by destroyed housing and the ongoing threat of secondary structural failures.
According to Colombia’s geological agency, the main quake has triggered more than 70 aftershocks, including twin magnitude 3.6 tremors recorded in San José del Palmar and Santander.
International Relief Mobilization
Foreign governments and international agencies have begun dispatching aid to assist national relief efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement of solidarity, confirming that UN agencies are actively coordinating support with Colombian authorities.
Meanwhile, The U.S. government announced an initial $15.5 million emergency aid package.
There has been extention offers of humanitarian aid, equipment, and rescue personnel by neighboring nations, including Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, and Venezuela.
Another help comes from Spain when Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that 164 Spanish citizens remain unaccounted for in the region, though no foreign casualties have been confirmed.
