At least 250 people have died and more than 570 have been injured after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, the Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported.
The earthquake comes just over a month after two major tremors killed more than 6,300 people in neighbouring Venezuela. Five capital cities across Colombia have been placed on red alert, while 86 buildings have collapsed and seven airports have suspended operations.
The epicentre was in Chocó, Colombia’s poorest department, where more than two-thirds of the population live in poverty. The earthquake also affected the country’s “Coffee Axis”, a major hub for Colombia’s coffee industry.
In Cali, at least 85 people have died, while 188 remain missing and 37 have been rescued, according to Mayor Alejandro Eder. Around 40 buildings have collapsed, including a hospital. Eder said on Monday that around 600 troops had been deployed to assist with the response, with a further 400–500 expected to arrive overnight and an additional 232 requested. A curfew was imposed from 20:00 Monday until 06:00 Tuesday local time to protect residents while rescue operations continue.
In Pereira, 16 people were rescued after being trapped in a cable car system for six hours.
The U.S. government is providing $15.5 million in funding to Colombia for shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments, the State Department announced on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the European Union's support and solidarity with Colombia in a recent X post. Von der Leyen said the EU had activated its Copernicus satellite service to support search and rescue operations in the affected areas. She added that the EU was ready to provide further assistance to Colombia if needed.
Columbia's 1999 earthquake
More than 25 years ago, on 25th January, 1999, another deadly earthquake struck Colombia’s coffee-growing region. The 6.1-magnitude quake killed 1,185 people, injured more than 8,500 and destroyed 35,972 homes.
The 1999 tragedy prompted Colombia to strengthen its earthquake preparedness, with evacuation drills now conducted at least twice a year in cities including Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla and Cali.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 2nd of September, covering the latest developments. ...
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. p...
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to collusion with foreign entities, a charge that carries a maximum...
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have concluded talks in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, as leaders gather for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have gathered in Bishkek for a summit focused on trade, investment and transport as the group marks 25 years since its creation.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Jordan in the first direct U.S.-Iran military escalation in weeks.
Kyrgyzstan is hosting the sixth World Nomad Games, bringing together thousands of athletes from around the world for a celebration of traditional sports, cultural heritage and nomadic traditions.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 1st September, covering the latest developments.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 2nd of September, covering the latest developments.
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to collusion with foreign entities, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under Beijing’s National Security Law.
Overnight strikes killed at least three people, including one child, in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, Serhiy Lysak, head of the city's military administration said. Residential building and infrastructure were also damaged in the attack, he added.
Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday after a Utah judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the case to proceed as a capital murder trial.
A Brussels court has ordered Belgian biometrics company Semlex and 13 other defendants to stand trial over alleged corruption, money laundering and tax fraud linked to a contract to produce biometric passports in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment