The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia the day before yesterday has exceeded 240. The earthquake was centred in the province of Chocó and is the deadliest earthquake in the country in the 21st century.
At the same time, rescuers continue searching beneath the rubble for survivors, although there are fears that the final death toll will be much higher, as at least 3,000 people are missing.
“We found life beneath the rubble… Every minute counts,” the fire service wrote on X, while also posting a video showing the rescue of a survivor from beneath a concrete beam.
Following the earthquakes, there have been reports of looting in affected areas such as Cali, Quibdó and Pereira.
The earthquake is the first major challenge for Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in as the new president only on Friday (August 7). Yesterday, meanwhile, he announced the deployment of 1,000 military and police personnel to the affected areas to “restore order” and prevent unrest, amid reports of looting.
“We will get through this together,” said Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder, addressing the city’s 2.3 million residents during a televised meeting with the new president. Eder said rescue crews had rescued 37 people from around 40 buildings that completely collapsed in Cali.
Sources: Guardian, Associated Press
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