The Colombian government has declared three days of national mourning after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the western part of the country. The death toll has passed 250 people, while thousands more have been injured.
National flags will be flown at half-mast in public institutions, as well as in Colombian embassies and consulates abroad, in honor of the victims.
Search and rescue teams continue to work non-stop in the most affected areas, where numerous buildings have collapsed and thousands of residents have been left homeless. The cities of Cali and Pereira are among the hardest hit.
Authorities are using heavy equipment, search dogs and specialist teams to search for people who may be trapped under the rubble. Operations are continuing as aftershocks remain a risk to teams and residents.
The earthquake has been described as one of the most powerful and deadliest to hit Colombia this century.
