International News: Colombia Earthquake death toll tops 250 as rescuers search for survivors

By Zoila Palma:  Rescue crews in western Colombia continued searching through mountains of rubble on Tuesday after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated the country’s coffee-growing region.

The death toll had risen to at least 254 people, according to reports from affected cities, with 101 deaths recorded in Pereira and 95 in Cali, Reuters report.

The earthquake, described as the most devastating to strike Colombia this century, struck early Monday and damaged or destroyed apartment buildings, homes, schools and health centers.

Rescue workers used cranes, excavators and their bare hands to search for survivors, while authorities called for silence in some areas so they could listen for people trapped beneath the rubble. Nearly 100 aftershocks had been recorded by early Tuesday.

Thousands of people were left homeless, while electricity, water, healthcare and telephone services remained disrupted in several communities. Indigenous communities in the Pacific-facing Chocó region near the epicenter were particularly affected, with damage to roads and infrastructure complicating rescue and relief operations.

Six airports were also temporarily closed because of earthquake-related damage.

President Abelardo De La Espriella visited affected areas and pledged economic assistance to families who lost their homes.

The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency assistance, while the Inter-American Development Bank said $50 million was immediately available for reconstruction support if requested.

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