Colombia Earthquake: 265 Dead, Economic Emergency Declared

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of economic emergency early Thursday morning, enabling the government to establish an urgent relief fund and accelerate compensation and assistance to regions devastated by a deadly earthquake. The powerful 7.4 magnitude tremor struck the western part of the country on Monday, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

The natural disaster occurred just days after de la Espriella was sworn into office, presenting the new administration with its first and most severe test. According to official updates released overnight, the death toll has risen to at least 265 people, with authorities expressing grave concern that the number will continue to climb as rescue teams uncover additional sites.

The earthquake struck western Colombia around 7:30 a.m. local time on Monday, with its epicenter located in the remote town of San José del Palmar in Chocó province. The tremor's effects were felt in major urban centers, with the city of Pereira suffering particularly severe damage—reports indicate 15 buildings collapsed completely. In Cali, the nation's third-largest city, significant damage was recorded to residential and public structures.

President de la Espriella, who cleared his schedule to personally oversee emergency operations, stated that "the top priority is rescuing those trapped in the rubble." According to reports, more than 1,600 structures sustained damage and at least 61 collapsed entirely. The crisis deepens with reports of over 2,700 people missing, as desperate family members post pleas for help on social media platforms.

The economic emergency declaration will allow the government to mobilize resources urgently and transfer budgets without lengthy bureaucratic procedures. The fund being established will finance rescue and relief operations, rebuild destroyed infrastructure, and provide compensation to affected families. Notably, the Colombian earthquake comes during a geologically tense period in the region—just six weeks ago, a series of devastating earthquakes struck neighboring Venezuela.

Rescue and recovery teams are currently working around the clock in a race against time, searching through the ruins of dozens of collapsed buildings. Footage circulating on social media shows the moment buildings swayed before residents' eyes until their complete collapse.

The governor of Risaralda province described the scenes of destruction, saying "what happened here is very serious, with many injured and entire building facades that collapsed into the street."