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Pereira, the 'zombie city' devastated by Colombia earthquake
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

Pereira, the 'zombie city' devastated by Colombia earthquake

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, leaving at least 240 dead and causing widespread devastation, particularly in Pereira.
  • Survivors and volunteers are desperately searching for loved ones under collapsed buildings, facing dwindling hope and scarce resources.
  • Many residents, including Venezuelan migrants, have lost their homes and are struggling to cope with the aftermath, with infrastructure like the airport closed.

Pereira, a city of nearly half a million people, has been transformed into a "zombie city" following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday morning. At least 240 people have died, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

I haven't left since yesterday, and I won't leave until they give me her body.

— Jorge GonzálezA survivor searching for his aunt in the earthquake-ravaged city of Pereira.

Jorge González, 35, has been tirelessly sifting through the rubble of a four-story building in Pereira, searching for his aunt, whom he considers a mother. "I haven't left since yesterday, and I won't leave until they give me her body," he told AFP, his eyes filled with tears. He described finding her bathroom "full of blood" and expressed his devastation at being left "all alone."

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just four days ago, promised to visit Pereira on Tuesday to oversee the emergency response. Many residents returned to their damaged homes to salvage belongings before they collapsed completely. Supermarkets and stores are experiencing shortages of water and food, and most of Pereira is without electricity. Internet and cellular service are intermittent.

She was the only thing I had and she's gone, I'm all alone now.

— Jorge GonzálezA survivor expressing his grief after losing his aunt in the earthquake.

The earthquake has left many, including migrants fleeing Venezuela's crisis, homeless for a second time. Jesús Piñeros, a 28-year-old construction worker, arrived in Colombia three years ago seeking refuge but now finds his temporary home destroyed. "One comes from experiencing difficult things in one's country and doesn't imagine this happening," he said. His family is now sheltering with relatives, sleeping on mattresses on the sidewalk after being too terrified to stay inside their damaged home.

It's a 'zombie city'.

— Juan David GaitánA resident describing the state of Pereira after the earthquake.

Infrastructure has been severely impacted, with hundreds of homes collapsed or cracked, streets littered with debris, and cars crushed by falling walls. The airport in Pereira remains closed, and road transport into the city is hampered by landslides. Despite the destruction, Piñeros remains resilient, stating, "We come from the bottom, we have to get up again like everyone else."

One comes from experiencing difficult things in one's country and doesn't imagine this happening.

— Jesús PiñerosA Venezuelan migrant who lost his home for the second time due to the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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