Colombia earthquake kills 240, rescue efforts continue

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, killing at least 240 people and damaging thousands of homes, according to regional authorities. The quake, the strongest in Colombia this century, hit at 07:34 local time with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, at a depth of 103 kilometers. Source: infobae

The toll

Death tolls vary by source: President Abelardo de la Espriella reported 181 deaths, Asocapitales counted 188, while consolidated regional figures reach at least 240. Source: diariolibree The hardest-hit areas include Cali (95 deaths), Risaralda (90), and Valle del Cauca (35). Source: infobae

Rescue and response

Rescue teams are searching for survivors, notably in Cali's Torres del Limonar neighborhood, where they pulled Diana Troncoso, a 31-year-old biomedical engineer, alive from a collapsed building. Source: diariolibree President de la Espriella visited Pereira, Manizales, and Dosquebradas to coordinate aid. In Manizales, he announced rental subsidies for about 1,150 families who lost their homes. Source: infobae

Damage and aid

Infrastructure damage is extensive: Pereira's Matecaña airport has suspended commercial operations, and in El Cairo, about 80% of homes collapsed. Source: diariolibree The Bogotá Food Bank is sending 50 tons of food, and more than a hundred aftershocks have followed. Source: infobae