Mourning declared as Colombia quake rescue continues

PEREIRA/CALI — Colombia on Wednesday declared three days of mourning for victims of an earthquake that demolished buildings in the west of the country, killing more than 200 people, as rescue crews continued searching collapsed buildings in western Colombia.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake killed at least 254 people and injured more than 2,595, while more than 100 aftershocks were recorded in affected areas as of Tuesday afternoon.

The quake, the most devastating to strike Colombia this century, hit the country's coffee-growing region early Monday, bringing down apartment blocks and homes and damaging schools, hospitals and other public facilities.

In Pereira and Cali, rescuers used cranes, excavators, sniffer dogs and their bare hands to search collapsed buildings, while volunteers formed human chains to remove debris. In Cali, residents joined firefighters with picks and shovels, while in Pereira, army units combed through concrete and exposed steel.

Many residents spent the night outdoors because their homes were damaged or because they feared further aftershocks. A park in Pereira was turned into a temporary shelter with tents and mattresses, while sports centers and other facilities were being prepared to accommodate people affected by the quake.

The earthquake also damaged hospitals and other public facilities. In Cali, part of the Hospital Universitario del Valle collapsed, forcing doctors to move patients into a parking lot and treat some people in the open air.

Thousands of families awaited safety assessments of damaged properties. Dog and cat shelters also appealed for food, medicine and volunteers, while residents brought water, food and other supplies to affected neighborhoods and lined up at blood donation centers.

Communities in Choco, close to the quake's epicenter, remained without power or basic services. On Tuesday afternoon, three airports remained closed, while many areas, particularly Choco, still lacked gas, water and electricity. Some major highways also remained closed, Reuters reported.

Damage assessment

The National Coffee Federation was working with families to assess damage to farms and rural infrastructure, while communications remained patchy in some of the worst-hit areas. Officials said it could take days to establish the full extent of the damage and the final death toll.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and promised rent subsidies for affected families during a visit to Pereira on Tuesday.

International assistance was also being offered. The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency aid and Mexico's president said she is prepared to send hundreds of search and health workers, tons of health supplies and other equipment.

China will provide assistance in an appropriate manner based on Colombia's needs, said Tang Ying, spokeswoman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency on Tuesday, while other countries also offered assistance.

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA