A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, August 10. The death toll from the earthquake has risen to 265.
Official reports on those missing and injured vary. The Colombian government reported 496 to 500 people missing, while civilian-run databases reported between 4,100 and 4,200 people being searched for by relatives. Figures for the injured range from 3,494 to 3,755.
Structures reported as completely collapsed due to the earthquake
The earthquake caused significant structural damage, with 140 buildings reported as completely collapsed and tens of thousands of homes damaged. The number of people affected is reported variously as 49,214, 52,816, or more than 53,000, while one report noted more than 25,800 affected families.
Rescue operations and international aid
Rescue teams from the United States, Israel, Ecuador, and El Salvador are supporting search and rescue operations. In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that teams continue to find signs of life under the rubble and noted the importance of the final phase of the first 72 hours. The critical 72-hour window for finding survivors is expected to end on Thursday morning.
International assistance has been announced, including humanitarian aid shipments from the government of Mexico, 12.5 tons of aid materials from Peru, and more than $15 million in aid from the United States. Foreign Minister Omar Bula stated that the country is accepting help from other nations without political or ideological considerations.
Our efforts are focused on the disappeared.
Government response and recovery
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an economic state of emergency to facilitate faster access to funds for reconstruction. He also announced the creation of a fund to assist victims and pledged rental assistance to families who lost their homes. Additionally, the President appointed David Tamayo as the new head of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
The government has declared three days of national mourning for the victims. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences reported that 122 of 202 bodies recovered from several locations, including Manizales, Pereira, Cali, Buga, Tulua, Buenaventura, and Quibdo, have been identified.
