Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 164

Rescue efforts continued in western Colombia on Tuesday, a day after the country’s strongest earthquake in decades. The 7.4-magnitude quake killed at least 164 people, with authorities expecting the death toll to rise further.

The earthquake struck on Monday, primarily affecting Colombia’s coffee-growing region. Multi-story buildings collapsed in Pereira and Cali, while the tremors damaged the tower of the historic cathedral in Manizales.

Rescue workers, police, soldiers and volunteers searched through the rubble throughout the night, using heavy equipment and their bare hands.

In Cali, a city of around 2.2 million people, at least 85 people were killed, according to available figures. Part of a local hospital, including its pediatric ward, collapsed. Around 600 patients had to be treated on the street.

Authorities reported 66 deaths in Pereira, while another 13 people were killed in Chocó, near the epicenter.

Around 1,000 security personnel are being deployed to Cali, partly in response to reports of looting. Curfews have also been imposed in Cali and Pereira.

The disaster recalls the 1999 earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in the same region.

(Reuters, est)