Colombia quake death toll hits 132

PEREIRA (AFP) — Rescuers and volunteers searched through rubble with their bare hands and buckets Tuesday after Colombia’s strongest earthquake in a decade killed at least 132 people and injured more than 570.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck western Colombia shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday, sending panicked residents into the streets and collapsing buildings across the region.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and vowed a major rescue effort.

Pereira was among the hardest-hit cities, with widespread power outages and volunteers searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

“We’re without power. This seems honestly like a zombie city,” resident Juan David Gaitan told AFP.

In Manizales, the quake damaged a tower of the city’s neo-Gothic cathedral. In Quibdo, officials said public services and communications “have been virtually shut down.”

“People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming,” dentist Julian Pena said.

“There are many buildings with gaps, with cracks. There are others that have completely collapsed.”

Race to find survivors

The quake was felt across Colombia, as well as neighboring Ecuador and Panama. Hospitals in five cities were placed on red alert, while at least six airports suspended operations.

In Cali, volunteers formed human chains to clear rubble and searched through the night for survivors.

“We are trying to get everyone out alive,” volunteer Andres Felipe Mejia said.

The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency relief, while the European Union, Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and France also offered assistance.