Colombia Earthquake Update: Death Toll Climbs Past 287 as Rescuers Race Against Time in Chocó

BOGOTÁ — Four days after a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the scale of the disaster continues to grow. At least 287 people are confirmed dead, more than 3,800 have been injured and over 4,100 remain missing, as search-and-rescue teams race against time in the hardest-hit communities of the Chocó department and the country's coffee region.

The quake struck on August 10 near San José del Palmar in Chocó at a depth of 107 kilometers (66 miles), according to the US Geological Survey — the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia this century and the largest to hit the country in a decade. It was felt across the nation, including in the capital Bogotá, and in three cities in neighboring Ecuador.

Pereira Among the Hardest Hit

The western city of Pereira has suffered some of the heaviest losses, with dozens of deaths reported there alone, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities. Buildings toppled within seconds of the main shock, crushing residents beneath the debris, and thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes.

The disaster carries painful echoes for the region: Colombia's coffee belt was devastated by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in 1999 that killed more than 1,000 people around Armenia and Pereira.

More Than 100 Aftershocks

The main quake was preceded by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake in the Pacific just seven hours earlier and has been followed by more than 100 aftershocks, the largest measuring magnitude 5.0. The continuing tremors have complicated rescue efforts and kept frightened residents sleeping outdoors in parks and open fields.

National Emergency Declared

Colombia's government has declared a national emergency, unlocking funds and resources for the response. International medical aid organizations, including Direct Relief, are mobilizing shipments of medicine and supplies to overwhelmed hospitals, many of which are treating patients in tents and parking lots.

With more than 4,100 people still unaccounted for, officials warn the death toll is likely to rise further in the days ahead. The window for finding survivors beneath the rubble is closing rapidly, but rescuers — aided by international teams and search dogs — say they will keep digging as long as there is hope.