Earthquake in Colombia kills at least 100 people, collapses dozens of buildings
The Colombian National Army was deploying several platoons of soldiers to carry out search and rescue operations for people trapped in collapsed structures.
Officials have confirmed that more than 100 people are dead after Western Colombia was hit by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on the morning of Aug. 10, according to reports.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said 87 people have been injured, at least 61 buildings have collapsed, and more than 1,600 homes have been destroyed or damaged, according to ABC News. The outlet reports that the mayor of Cali said at least 20 buildings in the city collapsed and people were trapped. The president has declared a national disaster in the aftermath of the strongest earthquake recorded in a decade, ABC News reported.
Search and rescue operations are underway to recover people trapped in collapsed structures, according to the Colombian National Army X account.
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, warned that aftershocks are common occurrences after earthquakes and urged caution around falling debris and unstable structures.
According to reports, the historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was damaged in the quake. Video footage shows the intensity of the impact, which caused the building to sway and part of one of the steeples to collapse.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Trump administration stands ready to support Colombia in the wake of the natural disaster.
De la Espriella, whose inauguration was Aug. 7, emphasized in statements on X his support for the afflicted communities and that the Colombian government’s efforts to respond to the disaster are underway.
“To the Colombians who are going through difficult times today, I want to say: you are not alone,” he said. “You have a president who cares deeply for his people and who will do everything necessary to protect you, support you, and move forward together in rebuilding the affected regions.”
