At least 273 people died after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday morning in western Colombia, according to an official’s update on Thursday.
At least 3,284 people were injured, according to David Tamayo, the new director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.
“Of those 273 deaths, 250 have been referred to the medical examiner’s office; 227 have already been identified; and 189 bodies have been returned to their families,” Tamayo said during a news conference.
The death toll included 96 who died in Cali, 93 who died in Pereira, and 13 who died in the Chocó region, where the earthquake’s epicenter was, according to officials.
Tamayo reported that about 12,600 homes were destroyed, and more than 74,800 were damaged.
Tamayo said his office was monitoring Puracé, a volcano in Colombia’s Cauca region, and reviewing the status of shelters in case an evacuation becomes necessary “due to increased volcanic activity.”
Also on Thursday, Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella announced on X that the United Arab Emirates was donating $10 million for relief efforts.
The South American Football Confederation and the Colombian Football Federation announced a $1 million donation for reconstruction in western Colombia.
News conference in Spanish
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