Colombia Earthquake Kills Over 100 as Buildings Collapse in Massive Quake
The death toll is expected to keep climbing after a powerful earthquake hit the South American country of Colombia on Monday. Here is the latest on this rapidly developing situation.
Latest on Deadly Earthquake in Colombia
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has killed at least 111 people in Colombia. Local officials warn that the death toll is likely to increase as search and rescue teams sift through the rubble left behind after several buildings collapsed in the western flank of the country.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake happened at 7:34 am local time. The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, situated in the northwestern department of Chocó. This location is approximately 250 miles west of the capital city of Bogotá. Residents in Bogotá reported feeling the strong shaking. The shaking was observed as far away as Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. A magnitude 5.0 aftershock rattled the same region shortly after the initial earthquake.
The most significant damage is being reported in the western and central portions of Colombia. Officials note that it will take time for the full scope of the damage to be realized. Photos and video footage show multiple damaged buildings and piles of debris.
As of Monday afternoon, President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that dozens more people have been injured and over 60 buildings have collapsed completely. The president also said that over 1,500 homes have been damaged. Like the death toll, these numbers are expected to increase in the hours and days ahead.
The governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, said that some areas of Cali's University Hospital have collapsed, leaving patients trapped under a pile of rubble. At least four patients have been rescued so far. The Cali hospital is one of seven medical facilities forced to close due to structural damage.
The city of Pereira was hit particularly hard by the earthquake. The facade of the Iglesia San José partially collapsed while debris fell from the ceiling at the busy Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña in Pereira.
Weather Expected to Hamper Search and Rescue Efforts
Unfortunately, the weather in the coming days will not lend any favors to search and rescue crews. Rain showers are in the forecast through at least Wednesday. It will also be warm, with highs ranging in the mid 80s to the mid 90s in the lower terrain.
The Colombian Army said that it is sending five platoons of soldiers to the impacted region. The president has convened an emergency committee to respond to the disaster. The government has also declared a state of national disaster in an effort to free up resources and expedite the rescue effort.
The earthquake happened 47 days after a duo of tremors hit Venezuela, killing over 6,000 people. Monday's event was the strongest earthquake to strike Colombia in over a decade.
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