Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Reaches 281 as Hundreds Remain Missing

CALI/PEREIRA, COLOMBIA — The humanitarian emergency following Colombia's devastating earthquake has entered a more difficult phase, with hopes fading that rescue teams will find large numbers of additional survivors.

Government figures reported by Reuters show that at least 281 people have died, more than 3,900 have been injured, and 379 people remain missing after the magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning. More than 10,500 homes have been destroyed.

The earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. on 10 August, damaging homes, apartment blocks, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure across the country's western region.

Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, and Pereira, an important city in the coffee-growing region, have been among the hardest-hit locations.

After more than three days of searching, emergency teams in parts of Cali have begun shifting from intensive rescue operations towards debris removal. Disaster officials stressed, however, that searches will continue wherever there is a reasonable possibility that missing people could remain trapped.

More than 150 aftershocks have been recorded since Monday, creating additional danger for emergency workers and people whose homes were damaged but did not completely collapse.

Some smaller communities are also struggling to receive assistance. The International Rescue Committee told Reuters that rescue teams did not reach some areas around Buenaventura until Wednesday night, forcing residents to search through rubble themselves. Armed groups have made access particularly difficult in some locations.

Water, electricity and gas supplies remain unavailable in some affected communities.

President Abelardo De La Espriella, who entered office only days before the earthquake, has announced plans to declare an economic emergency and establish a national reconstruction fund.

The fund is expected to help finance the rebuilding of homes, hospitals, schools, transport links and other damaged infrastructure. The disaster is therefore becoming the first major leadership test for the new administration.

The European Union has already pledged EUR 2 million in humanitarian assistance, while international rescue organisations and neighbouring countries have offered additional help.

The earthquake was one of Colombia's strongest in several decades. The country lies near several active tectonic boundaries, including the zone where the Nazca Plate moves beneath the South American Plate.

The immediate priorities remain locating missing people, providing medical care for thousands of injured residents, supplying shelter and essential services to displaced families and assessing whether damaged buildings remain safe.

Berean News status: Developing humanitarian emergency. Casualty and missing-person figures are government totals reported by Reuters and remain subject to revision.