Colombia hunts for survivors after earthquake kills at least 181
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and said rescuing people trapped under the rubble is the priority
Colombian volunteers and rescuers sifted through rubble with bare hands and buckets on Monday, hunting for survivors following a massive 7.4 magnitude quake that has claimed the lives of at least 181 people and levelled more than a hundred homes and office buildings.
The quake struck several cities across Colombia’s picturesque coffee region and Pacific shortly after 7.30am (local time), sending panicked residents onto the streets and damaging at least 1,500 buildings.
“People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes,” Wilmer Cuesta, a law student in Quibdo, said, recounting violent shaking.
This was Colombia’s strongest earthquake in a century, according to the US Geological Survey, and one of its deadliest natural disasters in years.
In a joint statement, the mayors of major affected cities said at least 181 had been killed, and more than 1,300 people had been injured.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella – just three days after being sworn into the job – declared a state of emergency and vowed a concerted rescue effort.