Rescue efforts in western Colombia have transitioned from search-and-rescue to debris removal as of Thursday following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck early Monday. Authorities confirmed that at least 265 people were killed and approximately 500 remain missing. In the city of Cali, crews shifted their focus to clearing wreckage after the passing of the critical first 72 hours, while more than 150 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Monday, impacting western Colombia's coffee-growing region. The seismic activity caused significant damage to infrastructure, including apartment blocks, private residences, schools, and hospitals. Residents in major cities such as Cali and Pereira were forced into the streets as buildings collapsed or sustained structural damage.
President Abelardo De La Espriella announced plans on Wednesday to declare an economic emergency and establish a reconstruction fund for infrastructure repairs. The government stated it is currently evaluating international aid offers, noting that it will only accept foreign search-and-rescue teams that meet recognized certification standards. Officials also reported that emergency workers continue to face risks from unstable debris and ongoing aftershocks.
On a broader scale, the earthquake serves as the first major crisis for President De La Espriella, who took office just days before the event. The shift toward reconstruction will require the management of a new national fund and the coordination of domestic and international aid. Residents and small-business owners in the affected regions will likely notice changes in government spending as the administration balances its campaign promise of cutting public expenditures against the immediate multi-million dollar costs of rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
The decision to limit international search teams to those with specific certifications sets a precedent for how the Colombian government manages foreign intervention during national emergencies. As search efforts wind down, the focus will turn toward the legal and financial mechanisms of the economic emergency declaration. A specific date for the implementation of the reconstruction fund was not reported, but the government continues to record aftershocks that may impact the safety and timeline of the recovery phase.