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Colombia earthquake kills at least 239 and triggers national emergency FAST-MOVING
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The disaster has caused widespread devastation, particularly in the Valle del Cauca and Risaralda regions.
According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the death toll has reached at least 239 people, with 3,755 injured and 287 still missing. The earthquake has affected 24,324 families and caused significant structural damage, including the destruction of 9,215 homes and the collapse of 140 buildings. Critical infrastructure, including 188 hospitals, 1,667 schools, and several airports, has been impacted. The Matecaña International Airport in Pereira remains closed to commercial flights due to structural damage.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national disaster and three days of national mourning. In response to the crisis, the international community has mobilized aid. The United States is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team and $15.5 million in aid, while Mexico has sent humanitarian supplies and prepared 255 specialists for deployment. The European Union is providing 2 million euros in support, and the United Nations is coordinating relief efforts, including UNICEF's provision of water and sanitation supplies in Chocó and Buenaventura.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Aerocivil · Aeronáutica Civil · Asocapitales · Cali · Chocó · Claudia Sheinbaum · Colombia · Donald Trump · El Salvador · Elsa Noguera · European Union
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 600 people were injured in the earthquake. elcorresponsalweb.com.ar · ewtn.de
- [● 8 SOURCES] The EU activated its consular assistance mechanism for affected EU citizens.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The EU has mobilized its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue operations.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The European Commission is cooperating with the German Red Cross on the ground.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The European Union allocated 100,000 euros in initial emergency aid to Colombia.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The earthquake resulted in at least 224 deaths.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The earthquake caused 165 buildings to collapse.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United States has pledged 15.5 million dollars in support.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The airports in Cali, Quibdó, and Armenia have resumed operations.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LATAM set fare caps for flights to Cali, Armenia, and Pereira.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are over 2.2 million insured properties in Colombia against earthquakes.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LATAM cancelled 49 flights affecting approximately 7,657 passengers.