Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 111, 600 structures in rubble

At least 111 people have been killed and 87 injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. Over 1,600 buildings and structures have been damaged across various cities, with at least 61 completely collapsed. More people are feared trapped under the rubble, and the death toll could rise further.

The earthquake struck at 7:34am local time on Monday, with its epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province, approximately 400 kilometres west of the capital Bogota. The quake, which had a depth of about 100 kilometres, is the strongest in the country's 21st-century history.

The tremors were felt not only in the western region but also in neighbouring Ecuador and several other countries. At least 21 aftershocks have followed, complicating rescue efforts and raising fears of further collapses in damaged buildings.

The worst-hit areas are Cali and Pereira. Several buildings have collapsed in Cali, including parts of a hospital, along with other medical centres and educational institutions. Local residents, alongside professional rescuers, have been working to pull out those trapped under debris. Poor communication in remote areas is delaying a full assessment of the damage.

The highest number of casualties has been reported in Risaralda department, where at least 40 people have died in Pereira. Twenty-seven deaths have been confirmed in Valle del Cauca, with several more in Manizales. Part of Pereira's airport has been damaged, and the minaret of a historic cathedral in Manizales has also collapsed.

Panic spread across affected areas after the quake, with people fleeing buildings and taking to the streets. In some places, locals were seen using their bare hands to remove bricks and concrete to rescue those trapped. Rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

President Abolardo de la Espriella, who has just taken office, has declared a national state of emergency. He has prioritised rescue operations and assured government assistance for those affected. His administration faces a major disaster just days after assuming power.

International aid has started arriving. The US has pledged $15.5 million in assistance, while El Salvador, Mexico, Chile and several other countries have offered support for rescue and relief operations.

Authorities said full-scale rescue operations have yet to be carried out in remote and cut-off areas, so it will take more time to determine the full extent of the damage and casualties. Rescuers are continuing their search for possible survivors trapped under the rubble.

Various government agencies are working in coordination to inspect damaged infrastructure, treat the injured and locate the missing. People have been advised to stay away from vulnerable buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.

Source: Al Jazeera