Colombia Quake Claims at Least 20 Lives as Rescue Efforts Intensify

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on M…

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead and causing widespread destruction, particularly in the city of Cali. The tremor toppled more than a dozen structures and forced evacuations across several regions, with emergency crews working through the night to search for survivors amid the debris.

From his hillside home overlooking Cali, the nation’s third-largest city, 64-year-old taxi driver Jorge Moncayo described the terrifying scene as the ground began to shake. He watched as clouds of dust erupted from different points across the urban landscape, marking the spots where buildings gave way almost instantly.

By early morning, residents and rescue teams in Cali were already combing through the wreckage of collapsed homes and offices, their efforts hampered by aftershocks and unstable ruins. Local authorities have set up temporary shelters and are coordinating with national disaster response units to provide medical aid and supplies to those displaced.

The earthquake’s impact was felt far beyond Cali

The earthquake’s impact was felt far beyond Cali, with reports of structural damage in surrounding towns and disruptions to road networks and power lines. Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid damaged buildings, while seismic monitoring agencies continue to track potential aftershocks.

As the full scale of the disaster becomes clearer, the government has pledged to expedite relief operations and begin assessing the long-term recovery needs. Meanwhile, families anxiously await news of missing loved ones, and volunteers have joined official crews in the painstaking search effort.