Emergency responders are currently operating in western Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the region on Monday. Authorities report at least 200 deaths as recovery teams work to clear rubble from collapsed buildings. The epicenter was located near San Jose del Palmar, an area with limited infrastructure, making the logistics of rescue efforts difficult for government agencies and local volunteers.
Cities like Cali and Pereira have sustained significant structural damage. In Cali, officials confirmed over 90 deaths and reported that several neighborhoods are suffering from blocked access due to landslides. Survivors in these urban centers are currently living in makeshift shelters, while local hospitals struggle to treat hundreds of injured residents. Public services remain suspended in the worst-hit regions.
The national government has declared a disaster, and international aid has begun to mobilize. The United States announced 15.5 million dollars in funding for medical supplies, food, and emergency shelter. The European Union has also activated satellite services to assist with mapping the damage and coordinating aid distribution in remote areas like the Choco department, where many residents are still waiting for basic necessities.
Despite these efforts, some rural indigenous communities located near the epicenter report that help has not yet reached them. Leaders from the Wounaan community state that their homes are destroyed and they lack access to medicine. As search operations continue, geological experts note that this is the strongest seismic event in the country over the last decade. Authorities expect the death toll to rise as teams reach more isolated regions.