Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 224, with at Least 3,000 Missing Under the Rubble

The humanitarian situation in Colombia has worsened following the powerful earthquake that struck the western part of the country on the morning of August 10.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake had its epicenter in the department of Chocó, near the Pacific coast. The earthquake was felt across a wide area of Colombia and caused significant damage in several cities.

The number of people killed in the disaster has reached 224, while at least 3,000 others are reported missing.

Operations to find survivors are continuing around the clock amid the rubble. Authorities stress that every minute is crucial and that people have been found alive beneath collapsed buildings, so hope remains even 24 hours after the earthquake.

In recent hours, emergency crews managed to rescue at least five people from a hotel that had partially collapsed. The material damage is severe, with hundreds of homes completely destroyed.

A state of emergency has been declared across the country, while the Colombian Catholic Church has mobilized to assist the affected families.