Colombia Earthquake: 180 Dead, Rescue Forces Race to Save Survivors
A 7.4‑magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) on Monday, shattering buildings across a wide radius that spans the Pacific coast to Antioquia. Initial reports placed the official death toll at 181, but local officials estimate that the real figure may exceed 240.
Cali, the country’s third‑largest city, suffered the most damage; the city’s mayor said 239 people were still trapped, 949 injured and 45 buildings either partially or fully collapsed. In nearby Pereira, 79 residents have already died, and hundreds of volunteers are working to dig out survivors from rubble, aided by a strict curfew to keep the area secure.
Aftershocks, more than 70 in all, have rattled the region into Tuesday. Two 3.6‑magnitude tremors were recorded in San José del Palmar and Santander early Tuesday, while South American seismic monitoring continues to track weaker waves that add to the chaos.
The Colombian government, under President Abelardo de la Espriella, has declared a state of emergency. An estimated 1,100 homes were destroyed and over 8,000 damaged across the country. Despite the crisis, aid is flowing in from Europe and the Americas: the United States committed $15.5 million, Spain reported that 164 Spaniards are still missing but without casualties, and Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador and Venezuela offered assistance.
International support is already on the ground. U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres expressed solidarity and pledged continued support. On the humanitarian front, local shelters have been set up and the Red Cross is mobilizing supplies while medical teams treat the approximately 2,600 injured reported from Pereira alone.
Photo of Colombian rescue efforts: 
Enter the rescue, the rubble and the echoing cries of survivors, all while the nation confronts the harsh reality of a natural disaster that has deepened the call for coordinated emergency response and long‑term rebuilding. The next few days will determine the pace of recovery and the resilience of Colombia’s communities in the face of devastation.
