PEREIRA—Rescuers in Colombia continued searching on Saturday for people trapped beneath rubble, five days after a powerful earthquake struck the country's western region, as authorities worked to account for hundreds of people still missing.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on Monday near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, causing widespread damage in cities including Pereira and Cali. At least 287 people have died and nearly 4,000 have been injured, according to the latest figures reported by authorities. About 400 people remained missing.
Rescue teams focused on collapsed buildings where they had detected possible signs of life. In Pereira, emergency workers were trying to reach people believed to be trapped inside a collapsed hotel, while teams in Cali continued searching other damaged structures.
The operation has entered a difficult phase as the time since the quake has lengthened, but authorities have continued efforts to locate survivors. International rescue teams from countries including Venezuela, Argentina and Israel have joined Colombian emergency workers, according to reports.
The earthquake caused extensive damage across western Colombia, including to homes, schools and hospitals. More than 100,000 people have been affected, according to figures cited by the Associated Press, while tens of thousands have been left without permanent shelter.
The disaster has placed pressure on President Abelardo de la Espriella's newly installed government, which has mobilized emergency resources and sought international assistance. The World Bank said on Friday it had disbursed $200 million to Colombia to support immediate relief and longer-term recovery following the earthquake.
Rescue operations have also been complicated by the scale of destruction and difficult access to some affected areas. Authorities have continued to prioritize searches for people who may still be alive while beginning broader efforts to clear debris, provide shelter and assess damage.
For now, emergency crews remain deployed at priority sites in Pereira, Cali and other affected communities, with searches continuing for survivors and missing people.
