The earthquake, which struck on Monday, caused widespread destruction across Colombia’s coffee-growing region and damaged buildings, hospitals and other infrastructure in several cities.

The latest casualty figures are expected to increase as emergency teams continue rescue and recovery operations in the worst-hit areas.

Cali Among Worst-Hit Cities

Cali has emerged as one of the worst-affected cities, with at least 85 deaths reported following the earthquake.

Buildings were destroyed and parts of hospitals were damaged, forcing hundreds of patients to receive treatment outside affected facilities. Rescue workers and volunteers have been searching damaged structures for people trapped beneath the rubble.

Pereira has reported another 66 fatalities, while 13 deaths were recorded in Choco, close to the earthquake’s epicentre, according to the latest figures.

The earthquake also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including parts of Pereira’s airport.

Rescue Operations Underway

Emergency crews are continuing to search collapsed buildings and damaged structures as authorities assess the full scale of the disaster.

The earthquake has left large numbers of people unaccounted for or potentially trapped, making the ongoing search and rescue operation critical. Authorities are continuing to update casualty and damage figures as teams reach affected areas.

The Colombian government has also deployed additional security personnel to affected areas amid concerns over looting. Curfews have been imposed in some cities as authorities work to maintain order and allow rescue operations to continue.

7.4-Magnitude Quake Causes Widespread Destruction

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday and was described as the country’s strongest earthquake in decades.

The tremor affected cities including Cali, Pereira and Manizales, while the remote location of some affected areas has made assessment and rescue operations more difficult.

With rescue teams still working through the rubble, authorities are continuing to assess the number of casualties, missing people and damaged structures. The death toll could rise further as search operations continue.