Colombian rescuers and volunteers worked through the night with their bare hands, buckets and basic tools as they searched for survivors following the country’s strongest earthquake in a decade.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time, sending terrified residents into the streets and destroying or severely damaging dozens of buildings.
At least 132 people were killed and more than 570 injured, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which is coordinating the response across major cities.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had been sworn into office just three days earlier, declared a state of emergency and ordered a coordinated rescue operation. Earlier estimates had put the death toll at 111.
Pereira was among the worst-hit cities. Power outages plunged parts of the city into darkness as residents and rescuers searched collapsed structures for trapped victims.
“We’re without power. This seems honestly like a zombie city,” resident Juan David Gaitan told AFP.
Tattoo artist Andres Hernandez said he rushed outside when the earthquake struck and was deeply worried about his family and friends.
“It was a movie scene because I saw the poles, the cables, everything moving,” he said.
Images from affected communities showed collapsed walls, damaged buildings, scattered furniture and electrical cables covering roads.
In Manizales, part of the city’s famous neo-Gothic cathedral was damaged, while authorities in Quibdo reported severe disruption to public services and communications.
Residents described scenes of panic as people fled their homes with little or nothing on them.
“People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming,” dentist Julian Pena said, adding that he ran outside without taking anything with him.
Overnight rescue efforts
The earthquake was felt across much of Colombia, including the capital, Bogota, where residents rushed into the streets in their night clothes.
The quake occurred at a depth of about 110 kilometres and was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake was likely linked to movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate.
Hospitals in five Colombian cities were placed on red alert, while authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in Cali. At least six airports also suspended operations.
In Cali, volunteers joined firefighters and emergency workers in searching through rubble using picks, flashlights and their bare hands.
“It felt like the end of the world — cars and motorcycles driving the wrong way, everyone searching for their loved ones,” volunteer rescuer Nelson Moreno said.
Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and debris, frequently stopping to listen for possible signs of life beneath the rubble.
“We are trying to get everyone out alive,” another volunteer, Andres Felipe Mejia, said.
International support
As rescue operations continued, messages of support poured in from around the world.
Colombian music star Shakira called for unity, saying, “All my strength and love to my homeland. Let’s hold each other tight.”
The United States said it was closely monitoring the disaster and later announced $15.5 million in emergency relief.
The European Union also activated its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue and emergency operations.
Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and France were among other countries that offered assistance as Colombia continued its search for survivors and began assessing the full scale of the destruction.
