Colombia is mourning after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the country, killing 265 people, injuring thousands and leaving nearly 500 people missing. Rescue teams are working around the clock as the crucial window for finding survivors approaches.

The earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. More than 11,000 homes, along with educational institutions, places of worship and businesses, have reportedly been damaged or destroyed.

As rescue operations enter their final phase, humanitarian aid is reaching affected communities. Temporary medical shelters have been established in Cali, while emergency responders, doctors, nurses and medical students work to treat the injured.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared an economic emergency to accelerate relief and reconstruction efforts, along with three days of national mourning.

The government has also rejected claims that earthquake assistance was being accepted or rejected based on political ideology, saying aid offers are being considered without political or ideological conditions.

Colombia Quake Death Toll Hits 265 | Hundreds Missing As Rescue Teams Race Against Time

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, triggering a massive rescue operation as emergency teams race to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Nearly 250 people have reportedly been killed, while thousands remain missing or unaccounted for in some of the hardest-hit areas. Rescue teams in Pereira, Cali and other affected regions are working around the clock using sniffer dogs, heavy machinery, cameras, radar and seismic sensors.

In one dramatic rescue, crews pulled a 32-year-old woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Pereira, prompting cheers and applause from exhausted rescuers and volunteers.

The earthquake has caused widespread destruction, with more than 1,600 buildings reportedly damaged or collapsed. Hospitals, airports and major highways have also been affected, while aftershocks have forced many survivors to sleep outdoors in makeshift shelters.

Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Race to Find Survivors as Death Toll Nears 250

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Colombia Quake Death Toll Hits 265 | Hundreds Missing As Rescue Teams Race Against Time

Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Race to Find Survivors as Death Toll Nears 250