Bogota: A powerful earthquake that struck western Colombia has left more than 130 people dead and hundreds injured, as rescue teams continue searching through damaged buildings for people who may still be trapped.
The earthquake struck on August 10 and was felt across a large part of Colombia and in some areas beyond the country's borders. Initial assessments placed the earthquake at magnitude 7.4, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó.
The disaster caused widespread damage in several cities, leaving homes and public buildings damaged and disrupting transport and communications. Authorities are still working to determine the full extent of the destruction, while emergency workers remain focused on rescuing survivors and helping families affected by the disaster.
Pereira has reported the highest number of casualties so far. Rescue workers have been sent to areas where buildings have collapsed or become unstable. Residents have also been warned to stay away from structures that may no longer be safe.
The situation is also serious in Manizales, where several buildings were destroyed and many others suffered damage. Hospitals, schools and churches were among the structures affected. Manizales Cathedral, one of the city's most important religious landmarks, was also damaged.
Images from affected areas showed rubble covering streets and buildings with damaged walls and other structural problems. Authorities have been carrying out inspections to determine which structures can safely be entered and which need to remain closed.
Cali was also affected by the earthquake. Rescue teams responded to several locations after reports that people had been trapped under collapsed structures. Healthcare facilities were among the buildings affected, adding pressure to emergency services already dealing with a large number of injured people.
In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, injuries and damage to infrastructure were also reported. The widespread impact of the earthquake has made it difficult for authorities to quickly establish the complete number of casualties and the scale of the damage.
The Colombian Bishops' Conference has expressed its solidarity with those affected and offered prayers for the victims, injured people, missing residents and their families.
The bishops said the scale of the emergency requires people across the country to stand together. They called on Colombians to respond with generosity, responsibility and solidarity, stressing that such suffering cannot be faced by individuals and communities alone.
Church leaders in the affected areas have also appealed for help. Humanitarian groups and food banks have started collecting essential supplies that can be distributed to survivors and families who have been forced to leave their homes.
The earthquake has also seriously disrupted air travel in western Colombia. The country's Civil Aviation Authority suspended operations at six airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.
The airports were closed so that runways, terminals and other facilities could be inspected for earthquake damage. Flights will remain suspended until officials are satisfied that the facilities are safe for passengers and aircraft.
The airport closures could make it more difficult to move emergency supplies and personnel into some of the worst affected areas. Authorities are therefore assessing other ways to maintain access while inspections continue.
The earthquake was strongly felt in several parts of western and central Colombia. People in the capital Bogotá also felt the ground shake. Tremors were reported in areas outside Colombia as well.
Colombia is located in a region with frequent seismic activity because several tectonic plates meet around the country. The western part of the Andes is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
The disaster has also brought back memories of the devastating earthquake that struck Colombia's coffee region on January 25, 1999. That earthquake killed more than 1,000 people and caused extensive destruction in Armenia, Pereira and surrounding communities.
For families affected by the latest earthquake, the immediate priority remains finding missing relatives, receiving medical treatment and securing safe shelter.
Firefighters, civil protection workers, medical teams and security personnel are continuing their efforts in the worst affected areas. They are searching damaged buildings, treating injured people and helping residents leave unsafe structures.
Officials are also inspecting hospitals, schools, churches, homes and other public buildings. The full scale of the disaster may not be known until teams can reach more affected communities and complete their assessments.
In Pereira, where the largest number of casualties has been reported, rescue operations are continuing among the rubble. For families waiting for news of loved ones, every hour remains critical.
As Colombia responds to the disaster, the country's bishops are urging people to remain united and support those who have lost family members, homes and livelihoods. The call for solidarity comes as rescue teams continue their difficult work and communities begin facing the long process of recovery.