Search and rescue teams in Colombia are working tirelessly among collapsed buildings, in a race against time to find people who may be trapped under the rubble after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
More than 60 buildings in the epicenter area have completely collapsed, while authorities warn that the death toll could rise. So far, at least 224 people have been reported dead, while thousands are missing.
Many families have started searching for their relatives through social media and online platforms after losing contact with them following the powerful tremors. By Monday evening, about 3 people had been reported missing.
The earthquake struck the Chocó province, about 400 kilometers from Bogotá, but the tremors were felt across a wide part of Western Colombia, as well as in Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
The Colombian president has declared a state of emergency to accelerate funds and recovery measures. He has visited the affected area and ordered the mobilization of military and police structures, including engineers, rescue teams and trained dogs to search under the rubble.
Meanwhile, authorities are offering financial and material assistance to families who have lost their homes, while several countries have expressed their willingness to help Colombia cope with the consequences of the disaster.
Search and rescue operations continue, as teams on the ground hope to find survivors among the rubble.
