The death toll from Monday morning's 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia continues to rise. Regional authorities across four departments now report at least 240 fatalities, far surpassing the national government's last official count of 111 deaths, which was announced by midday on the day of the quake.
The seismic event, occurring at 7:34 a.m. with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó department, has been identified by the Colombian Geological Service as the most powerful quake in the nation this century, and the strongest in 47 years, even surpassing the devastating 1999 Eje Cafetero earthquake.
Impact on Valle del Cauca
Valle del Cauca has suffered the most, with 130 casualties reported: 95 in Cali and 35 in other municipalities within the region.
On Tuesday, Cali's Mayor, Alejandro Eder, described the grim situation: "Regrettably, we have to report 95 deaths, as of this morning's count. There are 949 injured individuals and 86 people have been rescued," he stated, noting that "239 people remain trapped under the rubble, with 56 buildings collapsed."
Meanwhile, the Governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, reported "35 deceased, approximately 700 injured, three hospitals collapsed, 18 hospitals affected, and 39 educational centers damaged," along with about 5,000 homes damaged outside of Cali.
Rising Casualties in Other Regions
In Risaralda, regional government secretary Israel Londoño confirmed "around 90 fatalities," including in the capital, Pereira, where a nighttime curfew was declared and a thousand Army troops were deployed to prevent looting.
The Chocó department, where the quake originated, reported 14 deaths, 138 injuries, and five missing persons, according to Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Nuri, who warned that "despite the epicenter being in San José del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage in Quibdó, the capital."
Caldas reported six deaths, 76 injuries, and more than 1,300 homes affected by Monday afternoon.
Challenges in Government Response
The Institute of Forensic Medicine has received 160 bodies from the four affected departments, providing a partial yet substantial measure of the disaster's scale.
The central government's delay in updating the figures has drawn criticism. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management stated that, "by order" of President Abelardo de la Espriella, "all official information about the situation will be released exclusively by the Presidency," creating an information void filled by regional authorities and the Colombian Association of Capital Cities.
De la Espriella, who had been in office for just three days when the quake struck, declared a national disaster and established a Unified Command Post.
International Aid and Forecasts
International responses were swift: the UN, Ecuador—with a team of 47 specialized rescuers—, the United States, Spain, and the European Union, which activated the Copernicus system, all offered assistance for rescue efforts.
The U.S. Geological Survey issued an orange alert, predicting between 100 and 1,000 deaths as the most probable scenario, with a 20% chance of exceeding 1,000 fatalities—a warning that gains weight as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas and regional authorities continue to update their reports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Colombia Earthquake
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in Colombia?
The earthquake in Colombia had a magnitude of 7.4.
Which department was most affected by the earthquake?
Valle del Cauca was the most affected department, with 130 reported deaths.
How has the international community responded to the earthquake in Colombia?
The international community, including the UN, Ecuador, the United States, Spain, and the European Union, has offered support for rescue operations.