Cali suffers earthquake of magnitude 7.4 with severe consequences

Cali, Colombia, is reeling from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the nation, leaving at least 35 people dead and 188 missing within the city. President Abelardo de la Espriella reported that an additional 700 individuals were injured and around 5,000 homes were destroyed or affected in Cali.

Three hospitals in the city have collapsed, with 18 others sustaining damage. Educational facilities and the local airport also suffered impacts, leading to restricted operations. The president, who took office just days prior in Cali, announced that search and rescue teams are working through the night to find the missing.

Nationwide, the death toll has reached 132, according to the Association of Capital Cities of Colombia (Asocapitales), as the government has not released consolidated national data since Monday afternoon. The earthquake's epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, Chocó, occurring at 7:34 a.m. local time.

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We already have 228 rescuers in the city of Cali and the dogs that will help us in this search for the missing.