Colombian officials are grappling with the aftermath of a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that has affected tens of thousands of individuals, as hospitals around the epicenter overflow and local streets remain in disarray. Reports on Thursday highlighted the overwhelming situation in which medical facilities are struggling to cope with the influx of patients.
The situation is made worse by ongoing aftershocks that disrupt rescue efforts and threaten unstable buildings. In Chocó, where the quake struck, many people are seen wandering without shelter. Nearby Pereira is dealing with the pervasive smell of natural gas, raising concerns about potential explosions.
As of Thursday, authorities have reported 265 fatalities, 3,494 injuries, and 496 individuals missing, possibly trapped beneath rubble. It is common for such figures to rise as more areas become accessible and additional people are discovered. Despite the death toll being in the hundreds, officials estimate that around 43,000 individuals in Chocó have been displaced, left without homes or possessions.
According to El Tiempo, the governor of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba, indicated that approximately 93% of buildings in the area suffered substantial damage.
John Jairo Gutiérrez, the mayor of El Litoral del San Juan, described a heartbreaking scenario where many residents have lost everything, and their homes are buried in debris and smoke. “This tragedy has impacted various areas, but in Chocó, the situation is utterly devastating… These are humble people. Please don’t abandon us.”
Severe damage to roads and El Caraño Airport has left the state largely cut off, complicating relief efforts. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriera is expected to visit Quibdo, the capital of Chocó, Thursday afternoon to evaluate the damage firsthand.
Bishop Winston Mosquera of Quibdo mentioned that local hospitals are overwhelmed, and newspaper reports suggest that the patient capacity has exceeded 300% due to the influx of injuries from the earthquake.
“We really need more people, especially healthcare workers. The hospitals are overloaded,” he stated. “This region was already facing healthcare challenges before, and the earthquake has made it worse… Many patients have been transferred to Medellín, and some have died after arrival.”
Food is a pressing need, as many individuals are living on the streets without access to nourishment or cooking facilities.
In Pereira, community members have set up a communal kitchen to help feed those affected by the disaster. Organizer Pilar Quiñones shared, “We prepare whatever food we can get and deliver it to those in need.” Even those whose homes remain intact often can’t access their kitchens due to damaged gas lines.
Describing the chaos, a magazine article noted that many individuals are sleeping outside to avoid the dangers of precariously standing buildings. The air is thick with the smell of gas from crumbling structures where people are attempting to clear debris. The streets are filled with both “looters” from other regions and “vigilantes” hired by business owners to safeguard their properties.
Efforts to remove hazardous buildings are moving at a slow pace, partly due to the frequent aftershocks. A recent magnitude 4.2 quake shook cities as distant as Cali.
Rescue teams believe that the initial 72 hours are critical for saving lives. Dramatic rescues took place in Pereira on Wednesday, including one where a woman was trapped under debris for 36 hours before being saved.
Local reports emphasize the vital role of rescue dogs, whose keen sense of smell aids in locating survivors and bodies. Daniela Largo, 32, was seriously injured and hospitalized after being trapped for more than 36 hours. Her father, Julio Cesar Largo, stayed at the site where she was found, expressing despair as doctors indicated that she may not recover without a miracle.
“The doctors gave me little hope. They said it would take a miracle,” he recounted.
