Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Scramble as Nearly 3,000 Remain Unaccounted For

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western …

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia has left at least 132 people dead, while rescue crews work around the clock to locate more than 2,700 individuals still listed as missing. The temblor, which hit on Tuesday, flattened homes, triggered landslides, and severed roads and communication lines across several provinces.

In the hardest-hit towns, emergency workers and volunteers are sifting through rubble by hand and with heavy machinery, often guided by the faint cries of survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures. Local officials have described the scene as 'chaotic and heartbreaking,' with hospitals overwhelmed by the injured and makeshift shelters springing up in schoolyards and parking lots.

The disaster struck during the early afternoon, catching many residents in schools, offices, and markets. Witnesses reported seeing buildings sway violently before collapsing, sending clouds of dust into the air. In the coastal city of Buenaventura, port operations have been suspended, and authorities are assessing damage to docks and cargo facilities that serve as a lifeline for the region's economy.

President Gustavo Petro has declared a state of

President Gustavo Petro has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, mobilizing military units and dispatching medical teams and supplies. In a televised address, he urged calm and promised swift support, while also warning that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue. International aid offers have poured in from neighboring countries and global organizations, with rescue specialists from Mexico and Chile already on the ground.

As night falls, the focus remains on the missing. Many families have gathered outside collapsed buildings, waiting for any news of loved ones. The government has set up a hotline and online portal for relatives to report missing persons, but officials caution that the sheer scale of the devastation means the process will take days.

Geologists note that this is the region's most severe quake in over two decades, and aftershocks—some reaching magnitude 5.5—have hampered rescue operations and heightened fears of further structural failures. Power outages persist in rural zones, and drinking water is in short supply, prompting authorities to distribute bottled water and set up mobile purification units.

In the coming days, the focus will shift

In the coming days, the focus will shift from rescue to recovery and long-term reconstruction. But for now, the desperate search for the missing dominates every corner of the affected area, as communities cling to hope amid the wreckage.