At least 132 people have been killed and about 570 injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, leaving buildings collapsed, airports disrupted and communities scrambling for safety.
The Colombian government has declared a national disaster as emergency workers race against time to search collapsed buildings for people trapped beneath the rubble.
The disaster declaration is expected to allow authorities to accelerate rescue operations and deliver emergency assistance to communities severely affected by the earthquake.
The Colombian Association of Capital Cities said five capital cities had been placed on red alert, while 86 buildings collapsed and seven airports suspended operations following the powerful tremor.
Rescue teams were deployed to the worst-hit areas, with the recovery of people trapped under collapsed structures identified as the government’s immediate priority.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said the government had mobilised its full emergency response capacity to protect lives and assist affected communities.
“The national government has all of its capabilities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed. The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble,” he said.
Fierro Morales, director of the Colombian Geological Service, described the earthquake as the strongest to hit the country in the past decade.
According to Morales, two aftershocks were recorded after the main earthquake, measuring 2.8 and 4.8 in magnitude. The stronger aftershock was widely felt across the affected region.
He also noted that the area has experienced several major earthquakes in the past, including a 7.2-magnitude earthquake recorded on November 23, 1979.
As rescue operations continued, international assistance began to arrive, with the United States announcing $15.5 million in emergency funding to support victims of the disaster.
The funds will be used to provide shelter, food and protection while Colombian authorities assess the extent of the destruction and identify the most urgent needs of affected communities.
The US Department of State expressed solidarity with the Colombian people and said Washington was ready to support the Colombian government as it responds to the emergency.
Rescue and relief operations remain ongoing as emergency workers continue to assess the damage and search collapsed structures for survivors.
With hundreds injured and many communities facing the aftermath of the disaster, authorities are focused on saving lives, reuniting families and getting urgent assistance to those who have lost homes and livelihoods.
