A 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has killed 265 people and injured 3,494, according to an update provided by President Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday. The death toll and injury count represent the latest figures in an ongoing assessment of the disaster's impact.
The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. Five cities remain on red alert: Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, Manizales, and Armenia.
The earthquake caused the collapse of 257 structures and damaged 129 road sections, 20 bridges, and 43 aqueducts. Two airports sustained damage. Over 53,000 people have been affected by the emergency, and 496 people remain missing.
According to the Institute of Legal Medicine, 202 bodies have been received, of which 122 have been identified so far. Identification operations and the delivery of remains to families are ongoing in Palmira and Tuluá, in the department of Valle del Cauca. Search and rescue operations continue in the most affected areas.
President de la Espriella announced the declaration of an economic emergency to address the crisis caused by the earthquake. The government has appointed geologist David Tamayo as the new director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the entity responsible for mobilizing equipment and resources in response to earthquakes and other disasters.
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that a Spanish citizen with dual nationality died in the earthquake. The number of Spanish nationals unaccounted for has decreased from 75 to 12, according to Spanish authorities.
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