Abu dhabi: Colombian President Abelardo de Espriella announced on Wednesday that the death toll from the earthquake that struck major cities in the west of the country on Monday had risen to 265, while 496 people remain missing. The President emphasized that current efforts are focused on searching for those still unaccounted for.
According to Emirates News Agency, the earthquake resulted in the collapse of 257 buildings and caused significant damage to homes, schools, roads, airports, and other vital infrastructure. The Colombian Seismological Service reported that a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the west of the country at a depth of 96 kilometres, with its epicentre near the municipality of San Jos© del Palmar in Choc³ Department.
Tremors were felt across large parts of Colombia and extended into neighbouring countries, amplifying the impact of the disaster. Emergency services and rescue teams are working around the clock to locate missing individuals and provide aid to affected areas.