Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 239 as Rescuers Search for Survivors

Rescue efforts in Colombia are now focused on Cali, particularly the Torres del Limonar apartment complex, two days after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country on Monday morning.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported Wednesday that the death toll has risen to 239. At least 3,755 people were injured, and 287 remain missing. The disaster has affected 24,324 families, totaling 49,214 people, with 9,215 homes destroyed and 45,457 damaged. Emergency workers continue to search through rubble for signs of life, with Camilo Cano, a fire department official from Bogota, stating hope remains for survivors up to four days after the quake.

More than 20 people were rescued from Torres del Limonar in the first 12 hours, and three more were later pulled out alive. Footage shows a baby rescued alive from rubble, with a man cradling the infant. Marcela Perez is waiting for news about her partner's 11-year-old daughter and the girl's grandparents, who are trapped in a collapsed building.

The quake, centered 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) east of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco Department, occurred at 7:34 am local time (1234GMT) at a depth of 107 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey. A magnitude 5.0 aftershock struck at 8:18 am (1318GMT). The tremor affected 14 departments and 403 municipalities, and Colombia's Geological Service noted it was the country's strongest recorded tremor in the 21st century.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency, and the government declared a national disaster situation to strengthen response coordination. South American football's governing body CONMEBOL postponed two continental club matches in Colombia. A manager at Florida-based Blackstone Medical Services, identified as Jack Munoz, faced criticism after a video showed him warning employees against leaving work during the earthquake in Medellin.

Former Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino called for an intervention by the Labor Ministry. Blackstone founder and CEO Vick Tipnes stated that approximately 90% of employees were not at the office when the earthquake occurred, before the company's normal 9 AM opening time.