Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 273, 377 missing

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia has climbed to 273, with the number of missing persons reduced to 377, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). The earthquake, which occurred earlier in the week, has devastated several regions, particularly along the Pacific coast.

The UNGRD reported that the Institute of Legal Medicine has received 250 bodies, with 227 identified and 189 released to families. The seismic event, epicentered in San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, has left a trail of destruction, impacting 3,824 injured individuals, 40,753 families, and damaging or destroying thousands of homes. Specifically, 172 buildings have collapsed, and educational and health facilities have also suffered significant damage.

In response to the scale of the disaster, the UNGRD has partnered with NASA and The International Charter Space and Major Disasters to utilize satellite technology for monitoring affected areas. This collaboration has already processed 166 high-definition satellite images to evaluate damage in heavily impacted cities like Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. Aerial surveys have also been conducted across thirteen departments.

"All this technical effort seeks to strengthen the precise diagnosis of the damage on the ground, ensuring that authorities can make the most pertinent decisions for the response to the event that originated the current emergency," stated UNGRD Director David Santiago Tamayo. The UNGRD also remains vigilant regarding the Puracé volcano in Cauca, which has been on orange alert for a month, with contingency plans in place for potential evacuations.

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All this technical effort seeks to strengthen the precise diagnosis of the damage on the ground, ensuring that authorities can make the most pertinent decisions for the response to the event that originated the current emergency.