Colombia Faces Massive Earthquake Toll with 265 Dead and Nearly 500 Missing

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday morning near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, causing widespread devastation. The hardest-hit cities were Pereira and Cali, where at least 83 and 74 people died respectively. The disaster has left 265 confirmed dead and 496 people still missing as rescue efforts continue amid urgent searches for survivors.

Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged, with over 11,000 houses and 140 buildings collapsed. Infrastructure including roads, public buildings, schools, and hospitals suffered significant damage, complicating relief efforts. Authorities imposed nightly curfews in some cities to prevent looting.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just days before the quake, declared a state of economic emergency and announced the creation of a special fund for reconstruction. He described the event as "undoubtedly a tragedy of immense proportions" and emphasized the government's focus on locating the missing. The government is mobilizing all national resources and has welcomed international aid from countries including Mexico, Peru, the United States, Brazil, and Israel.

The earthquake has affected at least 25,872 families, totaling over 53,000 people. Authorities are assessing damage to roads and ports in western Colombia, where landslides and transportation disruptions have isolated some areas. Officials warned the death toll could rise as search operations continue in remote regions.