Rescuers scramble for survivors with 180 dead in Colombia earthquake
Rescue workers in Colombia are working against the clock to free survivors trapped in buildings and under rubble following Monday's powerful earthquake. More than 180
Rescue workers in Colombia are working against the clock to free survivors trapped in buildings and under rubble following Monday's powerful earthquake. More than 180 people have been confirmed dead - most in the cities of Cali and Pereira. The magnitude 7.4 quake struck at 07:34 (12:34 GMT) on Monday and was felt across an enormous area, stretching for hundreds of miles across western Colombia - with fresh aftershocks still being felt on Tuesday.
While the official death toll remains 181, an aggregated figure gathered from local officials puts it higher - potentially at more than 240. A state of emergency has been declared by President Abelardo de la Espriella. Giving an update on Tuesday from Pereira, one of the worst hit cities, President Espriella said as well as those killed, almost 2,600 had been injured, and almost 200 people remain missing.
He also reported that more than 1,100 homes had been destroyed, and more than 8,000 had been damaged. Overnight on Monday into Tuesday, several people several people spent the night outdoors in cities like Pereira and Cali - either due to their homes being destroyed, or fear of further collapses.
Across the country, dozens of larger buildings have also collapsed.
The BriefWire