Colombia earthquake: Over 250 dead as rescue teams search rubble

Rescue teams are battling against time under the rubble in western Colombia following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 250 people, according to local authorities' estimates. Families anxiously wait near the debris, hoping for signs of life from their loved ones.

The earthquake, the strongest to hit the South American nation in decades, struck the heart of the coffee-growing region early Monday morning. The devastation is extensive, with apartments, homes, schools, and health centers suffering severe damage or collapsing entirely. By Tuesday morning, nearly 100 aftershocks had been recorded, further hindering the critical rescue operations.

In the most affected cities, rescuers worked through the night using cranes, excavators, and often their bare hands to free trapped residents from the debris. The newly elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced a quarterly economic relief program for the residents of the Risaralda region, speaking from its capital, Pereira. "My heart broke passing through the center and seeing all these destroyed businesses. The measures will offer a breath of relief amid this tragedy," he stated.

Reports from the affected cities indicate the death toll reached 254 by Tuesday morning (local time), with 101 fatalities in Pereira and 95 in Cali, the country's third-largest city. The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 5,000 homes were damaged, and dozens of buildings collapsed completely. In Cali, residents gathered in the streets after parts of houses and apartment buildings crumbled. Families cooked outdoors and salvaged what they could, preparing for another day away from their homes.

Several upper floors of a city hospital, including pediatric wards, collapsed, trapping patients and forcing staff to care for 600 people in the street, according to the hospital director. By Tuesday morning, trucks carrying debris were heading to Cali's landfill, and traffic increased after the mayor lifted restrictions. Many traffic lights remained non-operational as rescuers continued their work under high temperatures. The city's public health secretary, Germán Escobar, reported that the city morgue was full, and authorities were still collecting bodies from the streets.

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My heart broke passing through the center and seeing all these destroyed businesses. The measures will offer a breath of relief amid this tragedy.