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Colombia earthquake causes mass casualties and widespread destruction FAST-MOVING
A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The disaster has caused widespread destruction across multiple regions, including Valle del Cauca and Risaralda.
Official reports from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) indicate at least 239 deaths and 3,755 injuries, though some regional estimates place the death toll as high as 250. Over 287 people remain missing, and approximately 24,324 families have been affected. The damage to infrastructure is severe, with over 9,215 homes destroyed, 45,457 damaged, and 140 buildings collapsed. Critical services, including hospitals, schools, and airports like Pereira’s Matecaña International, have been heavily impacted.
President Abelardo De la Espriella has declared a national state of emergency and three days of national mourning. The international community has responded with aid: the United States has pledged $15.5 million and is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team; Mexico is sending humanitarian supplies and has 255 rescue specialists on standby; and the European Union is providing 2 million euros to support affected communities. Search and rescue operations continue as volunteers and military personnel work to locate survivors among the rubble.
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.