BOGOTA—The death toll from a powerful earthquake in western Colombia rose to at least 273, authorities said, as rescue teams searched damaged buildings for survivors and the government shifted toward recovery operations four days after the disaster.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on Monday, causing widespread destruction in cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo. More than 3,800 people were injured, while hundreds remained missing, according to the latest reports.
The latest toll, reported by David Tamayo, director of Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, exceeded an earlier government figure of 265 deaths. The changing figures reflect the continuing recovery of victims from collapsed structures and the ongoing assessment of the disaster.
Rescue workers have been operating under increasingly difficult conditions, calling for periods of silence around rubble so that teams can listen for possible signs of life. Emergency crews have used search dogs, heavy machinery and equipment designed to detect movement as they inspect collapsed buildings.
Authorities said nearly 12,600 homes had been destroyed and more than 74,800 damaged. President Abelardo de la Espriella said more than 25,800 families had been affected and declared an economic emergency to help accelerate relief and reconstruction. He also declared three days of national mourning.
The disaster has prompted international assistance, with countries including Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and Panama offering aid. Colombia has also accepted assistance from international search-and-rescue teams, although the government's requirements for foreign rescue personnel have prompted criticism from some countries.
The earthquake is the latest major disaster to test the country's emergency-response system. Rescue officials have said the operation is increasingly moving from efforts to locate survivors toward recovering victims and assessing damage, although searches remain active in areas where people could still be trapped.
Authorities continued search-and-rescue operations on Thursday while emergency agencies assessed damage and coordinated relief efforts, with the death toll expected to remain subject to revision as the work continues.
