More than 3,000 individuals are currently unaccounted for in Colombia following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on Tuesday. This has led to an urgent search for survivors, while the U.S. government has pledged $15.5 million in relief efforts.
Footage from the scene reveals first responders scouring the debris in search of any signs of life. Reports from local officials across regions including Cali, Pereira, Chocó, and Manizales have indicated at least 179 fatalities, while the federal government has updated its own count to a minimum of 111 dead shortly after the quake, as reported by the Associated Press.
“Our thoughts are with the Colombian people, and we’re prepared to assist President Abelardo de la Espriela’s administration in assessing the ground situation,” a State Department spokesperson stated to X news agency. They also mentioned that funding would be directed toward emergency shelters, food, protection, and seismic evaluations.
Some 1,600 structures have sustained damage or been destroyed across the country, exacerbating the search and rescue operations as approximately 3,000 individuals remain missing, according to the Associated Press.
President de la Espriela, recently inaugurated, visited Quibdo in Chocó on Monday evening. He announced plans to deploy the military and police forces, as well as technical teams and rescue dogs, to aid in the response efforts. He added, “Chocó will not be forgotten again.”
The earthquake’s epicenter was identified as San Jose del Palmar, located in the western Chocó region along the Pacific coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
In a message on X, de la Espriela expressed solidarity, saying, “The central government supports the people of Chocó.”
“We’ve already allocated urgent economic resources and humanitarian aid to assist the over 1,400 families and individuals affected,” he continued, noting that the injured would be transported to Medellín to optimize hospital capacity.
