At least 111 people were killed and 87 others injured in the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.
An earlier death toll released by the Asocapitales association stood at 71. The earthquake also caused extensive material damage, affecting 1,575 buildings, 37 of which were reduced to rubble. Eighteen healthcare centers and 52 schools were also damaged.
Seventeen community centers and 17 roads were also affected, while six airports sustained damage, according to the head of state.
More than 20 aftershocks were recorded following the initial tremor, according to local authorities. In response to the scale of the damage, the government declared a state of national disaster.
The earthquake, whose epicenter was located not far from San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, was felt in several regions across the country as well as in neighboring countries.
The Colombian president had previously said he was taking charge of coordinating the emergency response in San José del Palmar and ordered the establishment of a unified command center to coordinate rescue operations and assist those affected.
De la Espriella also said in a post on X that he was heading to Pereira to stand by those affected and ensure an effective government response. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations for people trapped under the rubble are underway, alongside the treatment of the injured and assessments of damaged structures.
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