A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 224 deaths and leaving more than 1,400 people missing. The epicenter was located in San Jose Del Palmar, with the tremor felt as far as Ecuador and Panama. Over 70 aftershocks have been recorded, causing significant damage to approximately 5,000 homes and multiple residential buildings, particularly in the cities of Cali and Pereira.
President Abelardo De La Espriella has declared a state of national emergency as rescue teams continue to search through the rubble for survivors. The government has deployed all available capabilities to assist affected communities, while rescue operations persist despite the challenging conditions.
The United Nations, the United States, and India have pledged humanitarian support to the country. The U.S. has activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team to coordinate with local authorities, while the World Food Programme is mobilizing resources to provide food and cash-based aid to those impacted by the disaster.
