The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Colombia this Monday has already left at least 240 dead, according to the latest reports released by regional authorities, a figure that has been increasing in recent hours as search and rescue efforts progress. The earthquake, whose epicenter was located in the department of Chocó, has also caused hundreds of injuries and serious damage to homes, hospitals, educational centers, airports and other infrastructure.
The regions of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó and Caldas concentrate a good part of the victims. In Cali, one of the most affected cities, authorities had reported 35 deaths, about 700 injuries and around 5,000 homes damaged or destroyed. There were also 188 missing people and several hospitals affected, some of them at capacity.
During the day, emergency teams have continued working in the most affected areas, especially in Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó. The first hours of the day made it possible to see the magnitude of the damage, with buildings partially collapsed, homes uninhabitable and families remaining in the streets for fear of new shocks.
The teams specialized in urban search and rescue displaced from Bogotá, Envigado, Yopal and Medellín have joined the operations.
The authorities have kept the National Crisis Room active and the Government of Abelardo de la Espriella declared the situation a national disaster. In addition, Cali and Pereira established night curfews to facilitate the work of emergency services and avoid possible looting.
Colombia prepares an economic emergency
Given the magnitude of the catastrophe, the Colombian Government announced that it will declare an economic emergency to mobilize resources to care for the victims and rebuild the affected areas. The Minister of Finance, Miguel Gómez, announced the request for a loan of up to 450 million dollars to the World Bank, about 390 million euros, which could be available before the end of the week.
The Executive also plans to make available all the resources of the National Risk and Disaster Management Fund and reorganize budget items to accelerate the response to the emergency.
The United States and the EU mobilize aid
The international community has reacted to the severity of the earthquake. The United States will send a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Colombia to collaborate with authorities in emergency operations, coordination and tasks considered priority.
The European Union has also activated its consular assistance mechanism and the Copernicus satellite observation service, in addition to mobilizing funding to support rescue and humanitarian aid operations. Germany has also expressed its solidarity with the Colombian people.
The UN has conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and has assured that it maintains close contact with the Colombian authorities to support the response led by the Government.
Humanitarian organizations have also begun to strengthen their presence on the ground. World Vision, Save the Children and Action Against Hunger have activated emergency mechanisms, with special concern for children affected by the collapse of homes and the damage suffered by schools and health centers.
A deep earthquake that could reduce the impact of aftershocks
Experts consulted after the earthquake have highlighted that the earthquake had a hypocenter located about 100 kilometers deep, considerably deeper than other recent earthquakes recorded in the region. CSIC emergency geologist Raúl Pérez López pointed out that the aftershocks could occur at a depth close to 90 kilometers and, therefore, would predictably be less noticeable.
Experts have also marked differences with the earthquakes recorded in Venezuela at the end of June, where two large movements occurred practically consecutively that aggravated the structural damage.
Spain looks for its citizens
Spain maintains its consular services activated. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reported that 164 Spanish citizens remained unaccounted for, although so far there were no Spanish deaths or injuries. The Embassy and Consulate are working to locate citizens and provide assistance to the Spanish colony.
The earthquake has also provoked numerous displays of international solidarity. Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the victims and assured that he prays for those affected, while the Spanish Royal House expressed its support to the Colombian people.
With the casualty figures still provisional and rescue efforts underway, Colombian authorities continue to assess the damage in the different regions. The focus now remains on the search for missing people, caring for the injured and housing thousands of families whose homes have been destroyed or uninhabitable.
