Colombia continues earthquake rescue as death toll rises

Rescue operations continued into a second day across western Colombia following the country's most powerful earthquake in decades. The 7.4-magnitude quake struck early Monday, killing at least 164 people and reducing multi-story buildings to rubble in cities like Pereira and Cali.

Emergency teams, aided by police, soldiers, and volunteers, worked through the night with heavy machinery and their bare hands, searching for survivors beneath the debris. In Cali, a city of 2.2 million, at least 85 people died. Many buildings were left unstable or destroyed, forcing residents into the streets. One hospital in Cali experienced partial floor collapses, trapping some patients and requiring the evacuation of hundreds more to be treated on a rubble-strewn street.

Carmen Yasmin Garcia, a volunteer in Cali, described the desperate search for survivors, stating, "A moment ago there was scratching, but now we can't hear anything; we still have faith that the dog is alive and we can get these people out." She appealed for more help, saying, "We need people with sticks and spades; the more people lending a hand, the better."

“

A moment ago there was scratching, but now we can't hear anything; we still have faith that the dog is alive and we can get these people out. We need people with sticks and spades; the more people lending a hand, the better.

In Pereira, the capital of the hard-hit Risaralda state, 66 deaths were reported. The city also suffered visible destruction, with entire residential blocks flattened. Video showed the airport violently swaying during the quake. An additional 13 people died in Choco province, closer to the epicenter.

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella announced that 1,000 security force members would be deployed to Cali following reports of looting. Both Cali and Pereira implemented curfews on Monday night. "Our intention is to cooperate in any way necessary. Here, there are no distinctions or ideological divisions when it comes to defending our people or showing solidarity," De La Espriella stated.

“

Our intention is to cooperate in any way necessary. Here, there are no distinctions or ideological divisions when it comes to defending our people or showing solidarity.