Colombia Earthquake: 160 Dead and Over 2,700 Missing
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 164 people and leaving over 2,700 missing. Hundreds of buildings collapsed, including a hospital in Cali, and rescue teams worked through the night searching for survivors. New President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the deployment of security forces to affected cities.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 164 people and leaving over 2,700 missing. Hundreds of buildings collapsed in the cities of Pereira and Cali, including a hospital in Cali where upper floors collapsed, trapping dozens of patients. Rescue teams, aided by police, soldiers, and volunteers, worked through the night with excavators and sometimes bare hands. In Cali, home to about 2.2 million people, at least 85 people were killed. In Pereira, authorities reported 66 deaths. New President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just days ago, said 35 people died in Cali alone, with 188 missing, and announced the deployment of 1,000 security forces to the city by dawn following reports of looting. The disaster recalls the deadly 1999 earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in the same region.