Cali hospitals at capacity after 7.4 quake kills 111

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck central and western Colombia on Monday, leaving 111 people dead nationwide and pushing Cali's hospitals to the breaking point. The quake, centered in San José del Palmar, Chocó, at a depth of 103 km, hit at 07:34 local time, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) Source: elnacionalve.

Hospital crisis

Cali's health network declared a red alert after reaching 100% capacity, with 26 deaths and 456 injured in the city, said Health Secretary Germán Escobar Source: hoydo. Four major medical centers were fully evacuated due to structural damage, including the Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV), where one wing partially collapsed; patients are now treated in tents on the hospital grounds Source: elcaribedr. The Clínica Nuestra Cali, Clínica Dessa, and Clínica Colombia also sustained damage Source: infobae.

National impact

President Abelardo de la Espriella reported 111 fatalities, 87 injured, 1,575 homes damaged, 37 destroyed, and 61 collapsed buildings Source: elcaribedr. Authorities have suspended non-urgent surgeries and consultations to free capacity for earthquake victims Source: infobae.

Discrepancy

While Cali's health secretary cites 456 injured in the city, the national figure of 87 injured appears inconsistent, possibly reflecting different reporting scopes or timing Source: elnacionalve vs. elcaribedr.