Rescue teams in western Colombia worked through the night to locate survivors of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Monday, as the death toll rose to 181 and the number of missing approached 4,000, according to civilian and official estimates. President Abelardo de la Espriella, inaugurated days before the disaster, mobilized the military and police to assist in search and rescue operations across the hardest-hit regions, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó.
Rescue efforts and official response
Search teams continued combing through rubble in urban areas, with rescuers extracting survivors from collapsed buildings. Civilian-run databases reported 4,000 missing, while government figures listed 195 missing as of Tuesday. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake’s epicenter was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, which borders the Pacific Ocean. The Trump administration pledged $15.5 million in emergency relief, including shelter, food, and medical supplies.
President de la Espriella declared, “Chocó will never again be the ‘land of the forgotten.’” He deployed engineers, rescue workers, and search dogs to the region, while the State Department stated, “We stand ready to support President de la Espriella and his government as they assess the needs on the ground.”
Humanitarian crisis and long-term challenges
The earthquake compounded existing crises in Colombia, including deep poverty and decades of civil conflict that have displaced millions. The Norwegian Refugee Council noted, “This earthquake compounds an already severe humanitarian situation, and there is a need for increased support for the humanitarian response.” The 2016 peace accord between rebels and the government was cited as a potential facilitator for aid distribution, though ongoing violence may hinder access.
Officials reported 1,136 homes destroyed and 2,595 injuries, with damage extending across dozens of cities and towns. Local leaders and families criticized the government’s response, citing delays and insufficient resources. The first 48 to 72 hours are considered critical for locating survivors, though access to food and water could extend the window.
International aid and ongoing uncertainty
The United Nations and other aid agencies called for increased support, while the Colombian Red Cross coordinated with local volunteers to distribute supplies. The full extent of the damage remained unclear as aftershocks continued to rattle the region. Survivors recounted harrowing escapes, including a baby pulled from rubble and a woman rescued from a collapsed building, offering fleeting moments of hope amid the devastation.