Colombia scrambles to find survivors after deadly earthquake

What the report says

Rescue crews in western Colombia are still searching collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on Monday, with Al Jazeera reporting at least 254 deaths nationwide. The hardest-hit cities cited in the article were Pereira and Cali, and government and local figures said dozens of buildings were damaged or brought down, including residential structures.

In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, officials said at least 95 people were killed and 45 structures were fully or partly collapsed. One of the central rescue sites is the Vanessa Building, a seven-storey apartment block that was reduced to rubble and may have left around 20 people trapped inside. Volunteers and emergency workers have been using hammers, shovels and heavy machinery, while neighbors and residents formed human chains to move debris away from the site. The article also says the collapsed building struck a nearby nursery, where volunteers believe about 17 children may be trapped.

Beyond the immediate rescue effort, the quake has exposed broader concerns about damage, public safety and coordination of aid. The article says about 5,000 homes were damaged, and local authorities in Cali imposed a nighttime curfew and increased security amid fears of looting. Assistance has also arrived from other Colombian cities, as well as from private companies donating equipment.

Al Jazeera said the disaster is the first major test for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged support for survivors and met local leaders. Residents in less-affected and poorer areas, however, told the outlet they worry help may not reach them evenly, adding another layer to an already severe humanitarian emergency.