Rescue crews and volunteers are conducting a massive search across western Colombia today. A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the region yesterday, leaving at least 181 people dead and thousands missing. Cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo are among the hardest hit areas, with hundreds of buildings damaged or collapsed as teams struggle to reach survivors.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national state of emergency to accelerate the arrival of disaster relief funds. The scale of the destruction is currently unknown in remote rural zones, where access is restricted by geography and the presence of armed groups. Military and police units are deploying across the affected districts to clear debris and provide medical support to the injured, now numbering in the thousands.
Families are gathering at sites of destruction to search for relatives. Local databases indicate as many as 3,900 individuals remain unaccounted for, fueling desperation among residents. While heavy machinery clears concrete, the window for finding survivors is narrowing as the initial 72-hour period passes.
International aid and support from regional neighbors are beginning to arrive to assist the recovery. The administration is now focused on managing the crisis, as officials work to gain a complete picture of the damage in neglected areas like Choco, where communication and access remain significant hurdles for responders on the ground.