Colombia Earthquake: 181 Dead, Hundreds Missing as Rescue Effort Intensifies

Rescue teams in Colombia are racing against time to find survivors trapped under rubble after a powerful earthquake struck the country's western region on Monday, killing more than 180 people. The magnitude 7.4 tremor hit at 07:34 (12:34 GMT) and was felt across an enormous area, stretching for hundreds of miles. Fresh aftershocks continued into Tuesday, complicating rescue operations and keeping residents on edge.

According to official figures, the death toll stands at 181, but an aggregated count compiled from local officials suggests the actual number could be higher, with some estimates exceeding 240. In response to the disaster, President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of emergency, mobilising federal resources to assist the affected regions. The hardest-hit cities include Cali and Pereira, which have reported widespread damage.

Speaking from Pereira on Tuesday, President Espriella said that nearly 2,600 people had been injured and almost 200 were still missing. He reported extensive destruction of housing, with more than 1,100 homes destroyed and over 8,000 damaged. Many families in Pereira and Cali spent Monday night sleeping outdoors, either because their homes had crumbled or for fear that aftershocks could bring down damaged structures.

Across the zone of impact, dozens of larger buildings have collapsed, leaving piles of concrete and twisted metal. Search and rescue teams are focusing their efforts on sites where survivors are believed to be trapped. Using heavy machinery, specialised tools, and search dogs, crews are carefully removing debris in a race against the clock. In several neighbourhoods, local volunteers have joined the effort, digging with their bare hands to help neighbours.

The quake has disrupted essential services as well. Power and communication lines have been damaged in multiple towns, and some roads are blocked by landslides and rubble, hampering the delivery of aid. Hospitals in the affected cities are dealing with a large influx of injured people, and medical teams have been dispatched to the worst-hit areas. Temporary shelters have been opened to accommodate those who lost their homes.

Colombia lies in a seismically active region along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent tectonic shifts make earthquakes a recurring natural hazard. The country has experienced destructive quakes in the past, and this event has again highlighted concerns about building safety in older constructions. While Cali and Pereira have modern infrastructure in many parts, poorly regulated and older buildings remain at risk, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of building codes.

The state of emergency declared by the President allows the national government to allocate additional funds and resources to the affected departments. Officials have been directed to coordinate closely with municipal authorities to ensure an effective response. The Colombian military and disaster response agencies have been deployed to assist with search and rescue, medical care, and the distribution of food and water.

Authorities have cautioned that the death toll may climb further as rescue teams reach remote areas and recover more bodies from the debris. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the immediate focus remains on saving lives. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant against aftershocks and not to enter structurally unsound buildings until they have been inspected.