Over 180 dead in Colombia earthquake; search and rescue efforts continue

Search and rescue operations continue in western Colombia following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Monday. The tremor has claimed the lives of at least 180 people, with official figures standing at 181, though local reports suggest the toll could exceed 240. Nearly 2,600 individuals have been injured, and approximately 200 remain missing.

The earthquake severely impacted cities including Cali, Kibdo, and Pereira. President Abelardo de la Espriela has declared a state of emergency. In Pereira, one of the hardest-hit areas, over 1,100 homes were destroyed and more than 8,000 sustained damage. Cali, a city of 2.2 million, reported 95 fatalities, with 239 people trapped, 949 injured, and 45 buildings partially or fully collapsed.

Infrastructure damage is extensive, with several upper floors of hospitals, including pediatric units, collapsing, trapping patients. In the Cali neighborhood of Kalima, four children died when a section of the Gimnasio Kalima school crumbled. The disaster has displaced thousands, with urgent needs for shelter and food.

The international community has responded with offers of assistance. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed solidarity and pledged support for the government's response. The United States announced it would provide $15.5 million for shelter and food, and governments across Latin America have also contributed to the relief efforts, aiming to help Colombia recover from this devastating event.

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expressing solidarity with the people and government of Colombia and working to support the government's response to the earthquake's aftermath.