Rescue Efforts Intensify After Record Earthquake Hits Colombia

Rescue workers and volunteers scrambled to clear debris in Colombia early Tuesday. The nation had been hit by its most potent earthquake on record.

As of Monday afternoon, the Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported at least 132 fatalities. More than 570 individuals sustained injuries. By Monday night, over 2,700 people were unaccounted for. Families turned to online platforms, sharing details of missing loved ones and seeking information.

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, impacted cities throughout Colombia’s western region shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time. Residents, overwhelmed by panic, fled to the streets. In Cali, citizens searched for survivors among the debris of collapsed structures as documented by Joaquín Sarmiento, with images available via AFP/Getty Images.

The quake rendered Pereira, one of the most affected cities, in darkness as volunteers searched for survivors. “We’re without power. This seems honestly like a zombie city,” stated resident Juan David Gaitan to French news agency AFP.

Videos from Pereira’s airport depicted a chaotic scene. Pieces of the ceiling fell as travelers sought protection and others dashed amid the rubble.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, after just three days in office, declared a state of emergency. He pledged a coordinated rescue operation throughout the country.

Across the nation, approximately 1,600 structures were reported damaged or collapsed. In certain locations, rescue workers and volunteers manually cleared debris. Images shared by Dana Carolina Zamora showcased her missing 60-year-old uncle, Miguel Ángel Zamora, with his dog, in hopes of accessing more information.

Zamora, living near the epicenter in El Cairo, expressed anxiety. “We are afraid. We hope that is not the case, that he is all right and that it is only a communication failure. But we haven’t heard anything from him,” she shared.

De la Espriella announced the mobilization of military and police forces to assist with the crisis response. An image captured by Jaime Saldarriaga showed a man carrying a dog past the rubble in Pereira.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed in a social media announcement that the U.S. government was attentively monitoring the situation. “The Trump administration stands ready to support the people of Colombia,” he stated. Various humanitarian organizations in South Florida were preparing to send aid. Fabio Andrade, a Colombian American and Weston city commissioner, told CBS News Miami, “There’s a lot of damage, and we are waiting for information as to what the needs are. The first is rescue and recovery.”

In: Colombia Earthquake