A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia at 07:34 local time Monday, killing more than 180 people, mostly in Cali and Pereira, with an aggregated local count potentially exceeding 240 and nearly 200 people still missing. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency, reporting almost 2,600 injured, more than 1,100 homes destroyed, and over 8,000 damaged.
In Cali, home to 95 deaths, 239 people remained trapped as of Tuesday with 949 injured and 45 buildings collapsed, including upper floors of a hospital with paediatric patients trapped; a curfew was imposed to prevent looting. Four children died when part of a school collapsed in the Calima neighbourhood, with 30 children referred to care centres.
Pereira reported 79 deaths and implemented a car-free day to aid rescue efforts, while Manizales reported five deaths and 60 partially or fully collapsed buildings. More than 70 aftershocks have been recorded since Monday, and officials have urged the public not to spread unverified information amid ongoing rescue operations.
International aid has begun arriving, including a $15.5 million donation from the United States, along with offers of help from Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, and Venezuela; Spain reported 164 of its citizens still missing.
The full dispatch is available from the source below.