Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 132, Hundreds Injured
The death toll from the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia has risen to 132, with at least 570 people injured, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities. Officials say it is the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the past decade.
Key Developments
Rising death toll: At least 132 people have died and 570 others have been injured. Officials warn that the numbers could increase as rescue operations continue.
Severe damage: At least 86 buildings have collapsed, while several other structures and critical infrastructure have been damaged.
Cali hit hard: At least 85 people have died in Cali, according to Mayor Alejandro Eder. Around 40 buildings have collapsed, and 188 people remain missing. Thirty-seven people have been rescued.
Hospital damaged: Parts of a hospital in Cali, including the pediatric and neonatal sections, collapsed, trapping patients beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations: Emergency crews and soldiers are working to search collapsed buildings and rescue survivors. Hundreds of troops have been deployed to assist with the response.
Pereira casualties: At least 60 deaths have been reported in Pereira. Sixteen people were also rescued after becoming trapped for six hours in an aerial cable-car system.
Emergency measures: The Colombian government has declared a national disaster, while a nighttime curfew was introduced in Cali to protect residents and support rescue operations.
Epicenter: The earthquake's epicenter was near San José del Palmar, in an underdeveloped region of western Colombia, roughly 150 miles west of Bogotá.
Wider impact: The earthquake was strongly felt in Bogotá, where residents evacuated homes and workplaces. Seven airports have suspended operations, and five capital cities remain under red alert.
International assistance: The United States has pledged $15.5 million to support shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments. US officials are also assisting American tourists affected by the disaster.
The earthquake struck Colombia's coffee-growing region, a mountainous and economically important area. The region experienced another devastating earthquake in 1999, which killed nearly 1,200 people.
Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction.
