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Colombia earthquake losses estimated at over $9.5 billion
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic /Disasters & Emergencies

Colombia earthquake losses estimated at over $9.5 billion

From Diario Libre · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A preliminary estimate places economic losses from a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia at over $9.57 billion.
  • The quake devastated western regions, destroying thousands of homes, buildings, schools, and hospitals, and has resulted in 289 confirmed deaths and over 4,000 injuries.
  • The disaster presents a major challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just days before the earthquake, as the country begins the arduous task of clearing debris.

Colombia faces a staggering economic blow following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that ravaged western parts of the country. Preliminary estimates suggest losses could exceed $9.57 billion, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.

The seismic event leveled thousands of homes, office towers, schools, and hospitals, particularly impacting cities in the Pacific and coffee-growing regions. The human toll is also immense, with 289 confirmed fatalities and 4,187 individuals injured. As the nation enters the debris removal phase, hopes of finding survivors among the 143 missing persons dwindle.

This disaster marks the first major crisis for President De la Espriella's administration, which assumed office only three days prior to the earthquake. He has tasked the Minister of Housing with launching a "Miracle Reconstruction Plan," enlisting the support of construction firms, financial institutions, insurers, and regional authorities. However, the minister faces criticism for taking a family vacation during the ongoing crisis.

Imagine the scale of the disaster. This is a preliminary figure that will be adjusted as we gather more information and characterize each region.

— Abelardo de la EspriellaThe President of Colombia commenting on the initial economic loss estimates following the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Diario Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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