Colombia Quake Toll Rises as Rescue Teams Search for Survivors

A powerful earthquake shook western Colombia on Wednesda…

A powerful earthquake shook western Colombia on Wednesday, leaving at least 132 people dead and triggering frantic rescue efforts as crews dug through rubble for hundreds still unaccounted for. The 7.4-magnitude tremor struck near the Pacific coast, toppling homes, churches, and infrastructure in several towns and cities, with the hardest-hit areas reporting widespread devastation.

Among the harrowing scenes, emergency responders pulled a baby alive from the wreckage of a collapsed house, offering a rare moment of hope in the wake of the disaster. The infant, wrapped in a blanket, was rushed to a field hospital as volunteers and soldiers worked alongside local residents, using shovels and bare hands to clear debris in search of more survivors.

Authorities have confirmed at least 132 fatalities, but the number is expected to climb as communication with remote villages is restored. Hundreds of people remain missing, and officials fear that many are trapped under concrete and timber. The quake also triggered landslides that blocked key roads, hampering the arrival of heavy machinery and medical supplies to the most affected zones.

In the coastal city of Tumaco, near the

In the coastal city of Tumaco, near the epicenter, residents described a terrifying minutes-long shaking that sent people fleeing into the streets. Buildings swayed and collapsed, leaving many families homeless. Local hospitals, already strained, reported an influx of injured, with some patients treated outdoors due to structural damage to facilities.

The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency and deployed military units to assist in relief operations. President Gustavo Petro visited the region, vowing to rebuild affected communities and urging international aid. Neighboring countries have offered support, while humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to provide shelter, food, and clean water.

Rescue teams are racing against time, aware that the first 72 hours are critical for finding survivors. The quake, which struck at a relatively shallow depth, was felt as far away as Bogotá and Cali, causing panic in several urban centers. Seismologists warn that aftershocks could complicate efforts, but for now, the focus remains on the desperate search for life beneath the ruins.