Rescue Teams Race To Find Survivors as Colombia Quake Leaves 570 Injured

Rescue teams and volunteers in Pereira, Colombia, continued searching through collapsed buildings and piles of rubble on Tuesday after the country’s strongest earthquake in a decade killed at least 132 people and injured more than 570 others. Residents joined emergency workers in clearing debris with their bare hands, buckets and basic equipment as they searched for people who could still be trapped beneath damaged structures. The powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction across western Colombia, leaving communities struggling with damaged buildings, disrupted electricity and fears of further collapses. Rescue operations continued through the night and into Tuesday as authorities worked to assess the full extent of the devastation.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 am local time on Monday, sending frightened residents rushing out of their homes and into the streets. Tremors were felt across several cities in Colombia’s western region, with Pereira among the areas that suffered some of the most severe damage. Buildings were damaged or brought down, while streets filled with residents trying to reach safer locations. The intensity of the shaking caused widespread panic, with people forced to confront the possibility that damaged structures could collapse after the initial tremor. Emergency services were mobilised as reports of casualties and destruction emerged from affected areas.

The Colombian Association of Capital Cities, a group coordinating major cities across the country, reported that the death toll had risen to 132 by Monday afternoon, while more than 570 people had been injured. The figure was higher than the 111 deaths previously announced by Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. The president, who had been sworn into office only three days earlier, declared a state of emergency and pledged a coordinated rescue and relief operation. Authorities and emergency personnel faced the immediate challenge of locating survivors, treating the injured and reaching communities affected by damaged infrastructure. The scale of the casualties also raised concerns about the number of people who could remain trapped under collapsed buildings.

Also Read: Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, Over 1,600 Buildings Collapse as Toll Rises

Pereira was among the hardest-hit areas, with much of the city plunged into darkness on Monday night because of power outages. The loss of electricity added to the sense of fear and uncertainty as volunteers and rescuers searched damaged buildings for signs of life. Juan David Gaitan, a resident of the city, described the scene as resembling a “zombie city” because of the darkness and devastation. With electricity disrupted, residents faced difficult conditions while emergency teams attempted to navigate damaged areas and determine which structures remained safe. The outages also heightened concerns for people who were already dealing with injuries, damaged homes and the possibility of additional structural failures.

Residents described the moments during and immediately after the earthquake as terrifying. Tattoo artist Andres Hernandez said he had been asleep at home when the earthquake struck and quickly rushed into the street for safety. He said he saw electricity poles and cables moving as the ground shook, describing the scene as resembling something from a movie. Hernandez said he was particularly worried about his family and friends and decided to remain awake because some structures around him appeared to be “on the verge of collapsing.” His account reflected the uncertainty faced by residents who remained concerned about returning to damaged homes while rescue teams continued to inspect buildings.

Rescue operations were continuing as emergency workers and local volunteers searched through debris for survivors and assessed the damage across the affected western region. Authorities were also working to provide assistance to those injured and to communities facing power disruptions and damaged infrastructure. The immediate priority remained locating and rescuing anyone trapped beneath rubble while ensuring that residents could move away from structures considered unsafe. With the death toll already at 132 and hundreds injured, Colombia faced a major emergency response in the aftermath of the earthquake. The full scale of the destruction was expected to become clearer as rescue teams reached more affected areas and continued their assessment.

Also Read: Colombia Earthquake Kills 111 After 7.4-Magnitude Quake Strikes Western Region