Journalists urge calm as powerful earthquake rocks Colombia, leaving over 100 dead

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake jolted Colombia on Monday, triggering scenes of panic and widespread disruption. The tremor caused buildings to sway violently, and terrified residents fled into the streets.

Amidst the chaos, journalists on air demonstrated remarkable composure. Ricardo Ospina, director of Blu Radio's news service, repeatedly urged listeners to "maintain calm" and "tranquility" even as his studio shook. Similarly, Hugo Mario Palomar in Cali reported the intense shaking from his studio, while Javier Rodríguez in Bucaramanga described the experience as "very hard."

The earthquake has tragically claimed over 100 lives and injured at least 87 people, with fears that the death toll could rise. Rescue operations are in full swing as emergency services work to free individuals trapped under rubble. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but reports indicate significant structural damage in several cities.

One particularly harrowing account came from José Patiño, a former presenter for Noticias Caracol. He shared his desperate search for his father, Darío Patiño, who was trapped under the debris of his collapsed apartment building in Cali. Patiño made an urgent public appeal for assistance, describing how neighbors were attempting a manual rescue. He later reported that his father might have been taken to a clinic, but his location remained uncertain, highlighting the immense challenges faced by families seeking loved ones in the aftermath of the disaster.