Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 265
The death toll from Monday's powerful earthquake in Colombia has risen to 265, with 3,494 people injured and 496 still missing, President Abelardo de la Espriella said on Wednesday. When the earth, once thought eternal and unshakeable, turns into chaos in an instant, and the death toll rises by the hour, humanity is reminded of how fragile the line between life and death truly is. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck western Colombia was the most powerful in decades.
It came without warning – at 7:34 in the morning, when many were just waking up and preparing for a new day. Within minutes, homes collapsed, lives were cut short, and the death toll began to climb with terrifying speed: from initial reports to 265 confirmed deaths, thousands injured and hundreds missing. And behind every number lies not just a statistic, but a life, a pain, a grief that is now shared by an entire nation.
President de la Espriella said more than 11,000 homes had been destroyed nationwide, and over 53,000 people had been affected by the disaster. That same day, he declared an economic state of emergency in response to the tragedy, aiming to speed up aid to affected residents and allocate resources for reconstruction.
On Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning for the earthquake victims, with flags to be flown at half mast on official buildings and Colombian embassies worldwide "in memory of all those who lost their lives." Search and rescue operations, as well as damage assessments, are still ongoing. According to the Colombian Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the western part of the country at 07:34 local time on Monday. Its epicentre was located near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó at a depth of 96 kilometres.
The hardest hit areas include the cities of Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó, where hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, transport links disrupted, and there is a shortage of drinking water and medicine. Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble, but access to some remote areas is hampered by landslides and damaged roads. Authorities have set up field hospitals and temporary shelters, but the scale of the disaster exceeds local resources, and Colombia has already appealed for international assistance.
Neighbouring countries, including Ecuador and Panama, have offered support, and international organisations have begun fundraising for the victims. The economic state of emergency declared by the president will allow for the rapid allocation of budget funds to priority needs, but full reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure will take years.
As CCTV+ reports, the earthquake in Colombia has become yet another tragic reminder that nature knows no borders and asks no permission, and that humanity's ability to withstand disaster is measured not only by technology but also by the willingness to help in the hour of greatest need.
