Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Race to Find Survivors as Death Toll Rises 181.
Bogota:
Rescue teams in Colombia are racing against time to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country on Monday.
The quake hit at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT), shaking large parts of western Colombia. The official death toll has reached 181, while figures compiled from local authorities suggest the number could be above 240. Nearly 2,600 people have been injured, around 200 remain missing, and more than 1,100 homes have been destroyed, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Cali and Pereira are among the worst-hit cities. Cali, home to about 2.2 million people, has reported 95 deaths, with 239 people still trapped and 949 injured. At least 45 buildings have completely or partially collapsed. Parts of a hospital, including areas used for paediatric care, also collapsed.
In the Calima neighbourhood, four children were killed when part of Gimnasio Calima school collapsed, while 30 children were taken to medical centres with injuries.
Pereira has recorded 79 deaths, according to its fire department. Hundreds of volunteers and emergency workers are removing rubble in an effort to rescue survivors. A car-free day has been introduced to facilitate rescue operations.
More than 70 aftershocks have been recorded since Monday, prompting warnings about further tremors. Manizales has reported five deaths and 60 damaged or collapsed buildings.
International assistance has been offered by several countries. The United States has announced $15.5 million in aid, while Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador and Venezuela have also offered support. Spain said 164 of its citizens remain missing, though no Spanish deaths or injuries have been reported.
