Colombia Rescue Efforts Continue After Deadly 7.4 Earthquake Claims 254 Lives

Rescue teams in western Colombia are continuing to search for survivors more than 48 hours after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday morning. The quake, centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, the poorest and most remote area of the country, is the strongest recorded in Colombia this century. Authorities report at least 254 dead, including 101 in Pereira and 95 in Cali, with over 2,595 injured and nearly 200 missing.

The earthquake caused widespread destruction in cities such as Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, collapsing homes, schools, hospitals, and public buildings. Nearly 5,000 houses were damaged, with hundreds destroyed. The mountainous terrain and damaged roads have complicated rescue operations, especially in rural Chocó where many communities remain without power or basic services.

Despite the challenges, rescuers have pulled several survivors from the rubble after long entrapments. Daniela Andrea Largo Sánchez, 32, was rescued alive after more than 35 hours under a collapsed hotel in Pereira. In Cali, Carlos Rebolledo, 35, was found by a search dog and freed after five hours of careful extraction. Another woman, Diana Troncoso, 31, was rescued after 16 hours trapped in her apartment building. Firefighters have saved 37 people from about 40 collapsed buildings in Cali alone.

Authorities continue to work within the "golden window" of 72 hours when chances of finding survivors are highest. Meanwhile, thousands remain homeless or afraid to return to damaged homes. The government has deployed over 1,000 soldiers to assist with rescue and prevent looting, which has prompted curfews in several cities. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just 63 hours before the quake, declared a state of emergency and three days of national mourning.

International aid is arriving, with the EU, Spain, and the Vatican pledging millions of euros in assistance. The disaster poses a major economic challenge for Colombia’s new administration, which may invoke constitutional provisions to increase spending without congressional approval to fund recovery efforts.

Summary: A 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has killed at least 254 people and injured thousands, with rescue efforts ongoing amid widespread destruction. Several survivors have been pulled from rubble after long entrapments, while the government mobilizes troops and international aid to address the crisis.

Points: - A 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, killing at least 254 and injuring over 2,595. - Rescue teams continue searching for survivors within the critical 72-hour "golden window". - Several people, including a woman trapped 35 hours and a man found by a search dog, were rescued alive. - Thousands are homeless; government deployed soldiers and imposed curfews to prevent looting. - President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and three days of national mourning. - International aid from the EU, Spain, and the Vatican is arriving to support relief efforts.

Topic: security israel_relevant: false entities: {"people":["Daniela Andrea Largo Sánchez","Carlos Rebolledo","Diana Troncoso","Abelardo de la Espriella","Barbara Melo","Juan Bustamante","Leonor Escobar","Adib Fletcher"],"organizations":["World Vision","Colombian Geological Service","Project Hope","European Union","Vatican"],"places":["Colombia","Pereira","Cali","Manizales","San José del Palmar","Chocó","Bogotá","Panama","Ecuador","Venezuela"]}