Bogota: Rescue teams in western Colombia continued searching through collapsed buildings on Tuesday as the country faced the growing impact of a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 164 people and injured hundreds more. Emergency workers, soldiers, police officers and volunteers have been working through damaged neighbourhoods in a desperate effort to find people who may still be trapped under the rubble.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on Monday in the western part of the country, with its epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region. The powerful tremor was felt across a large part of Colombia, including the major cities of Cali, Pereira and Manizales. It also caused shaking in neighbouring countries.
The situation has changed quickly since the first reports emerged. Initial authorities reported at least 111 deaths, but the number rose as rescue teams reached more affected areas and local authorities updated their figures. The latest Reuters report puts the death toll at 164, with 85 deaths reported in Cali, 66 in Pereira and 13 in Choco. More than 800 people have also been reported injured.
The full extent of the destruction is still being assessed. Earlier reports said around 1,600 buildings had been damaged or collapsed, with at least 61 buildings completely destroyed. In some places, entire sections of residential areas were badly damaged. Hospitals have also been affected, forcing medical workers to treat some patients outside buildings that were considered unsafe.
Cali, one of Colombia's largest cities, has suffered some of the most serious damage. Rescue workers have been searching through the remains of collapsed buildings while families wait anxiously for information about relatives who remain unaccounted for. Authorities have said that hundreds of people are still missing in the city.
Pereira has also experienced major destruction, with buildings collapsing and large numbers of people requiring medical attention. Manizales was affected as well, including damage to the historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where part of the structure collapsed during the earthquake.
The situation is particularly difficult in Choco, where some communities are located in remote areas surrounded by dense jungle. Poor roads and damaged communications have made it harder for emergency teams to reach some locations. Officials fear that the number of casualties could increase as rescuers gain access to areas that have not yet been fully assessed.
Rescue operations have been marked by scenes of ordinary people joining emergency workers. Families and volunteers have helped remove pieces of concrete and debris by hand as teams search for signs of life. Rescue dogs and heavy equipment have also been deployed.
There have been moments of hope amid the destruction. Emergency workers have rescued people alive from collapsed buildings, including a baby and her mother, giving rescuers and families renewed hope that others may still be found.
The earthquake has also disrupted transport and other essential services. Several airports in western Colombia were temporarily affected while authorities checked runways and buildings for damage. Officials have warned people to remain cautious because aftershocks could further weaken already damaged structures.
Colombia's newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of emergency to speed up the response and make resources available to affected communities. Security forces have also been deployed to protect damaged areas. Cali and Pereira introduced curfews as authorities sought to prevent looting and maintain order during the emergency.
International support has also begun to arrive. The United States has pledged 15.5 million dollars in assistance, while countries including Mexico, Chile and El Salvador have offered help to Colombia.
For now, the priority remains the search for survivors. Rescue teams are racing against time as families continue waiting outside damaged buildings for news of loved ones. With many areas still being assessed, officials expect the human and economic cost of the earthquake to become clearer in the coming days.
The disaster has left much of western Colombia facing a difficult recovery. Beyond the immediate search for survivors, authorities will have to find temporary shelter for displaced families, restore damaged services and assess thousands of buildings before people can safely return to their homes.