Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 265 people. Rescue teams are continuing an extensive search for 496 people still reported missing.
The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó province at around 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday. The epicenter was estimated to be about 107 kilometers beneath the surface. Authorities described it as the deadliest earthquake to hit Colombia so far this century.
At least 3,494 people have been injured, while thousands of homes and other structures have been damaged or destroyed.
President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered flags to be flown at half-mast at government buildings and diplomatic missions during the mourning period. He said finding those still missing remains the government’s top priority.
Rescue operations are underway in major cities including Pereira and Cali, with emergency crews using heavy machinery, search dogs and human chains to locate survivors.
According to Colombia’s disaster-risk management agency, around 9,215 homes were completely destroyed, while another 45,457 sustained damage. The government has consequently declared a national disaster.
Officials said technical rescue teams from the United States, Israel, Ecuador and El Salvador would be prioritized under the government’s operational criteria. Former President Gustavo Petro criticized the approach, arguing that ideological considerations should not influence the acceptance of international disaster assistance.
Government officials, however, stressed that Colombia has not formally rejected assistance from any country.
Meanwhile, a Mexican volunteer rescue organization, Brigada Internacional de Rescate Topos Azteca, arrived in Cali on Wednesday to assist with search-and-rescue efforts.
The worst destruction has been reported in rural communities close to the earthquake’s epicenter. In El Cairo, local emergency officials said around 80% of infrastructure was damaged, while roughly 10% of buildings completely collapsed.
