Colombia races against time after earthquake, declares economic emergency

Colombia is in the critical first 72 hours following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that has claimed 265 lives, injured 3,494, and left 496 people missing. The government has declared an economic emergency to manage the escalating crisis.

President Abelardo de la Espriella reported that the earthquake destroyed 11,347 homes and damaged 53,526 more, with 140 buildings collapsing. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) also stated that 24,324 families were affected across 403 municipalities in 14 of the country's 32 departments.

The quake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, making the 72-hour survival window conclude on Thursday morning. Rescue teams are concentrating their efforts in cities like Cali and Pereira, where the probability of finding survivors under rubble is considered high. In Cali alone, 700 national and 50 foreign rescuers are working against time, having already found 85 survivors, though over 150 remain unaccounted for.

The Institute of Legal Medicine has received 202 bodies, with 121 identified and released to families, including five minors. President de la Espriella announced the economic emergency will establish a "miracle fund" to channel resources for rebuilding hospitals, schools, roads, and airports. Relief measures for affected families include utility payment assistance, rent subsidies, tax and financial relief, and aid for vulnerable populations and businesses. De la Espriella acknowledged the immense devastation and the need for strong political will, noting the tragedy occurs during a period of "fiscal crisis" for Colombia. The government has accepted specialized search and rescue teams from the U.S., El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel.

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The devastation is immense and requires great determination and political will from the Government.