BOGOTÁ — Nearly a week after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake devastated western Colombia, the official death toll has reached approximately 290. More than 140 people remain missing and around 4,200 have been injured.
The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar on August 10 and caused extensive damage from Buenaventura to the coffee-growing region. More than two-thirds of the confirmed deaths occurred in Cali and Pereira, where residential buildings, hospitals, schools and churches were damaged or destroyed.
Rescuers continued searching unstable piles of concrete and metal, but officials acknowledged that the likelihood of finding additional survivors was declining. Continuing aftershocks have increased the danger for emergency crews and displaced residents.
Colombian businessman Jaime Gilinski pledged 150 billion pesos—approximately US$47.75 million—to rebuild hospitals and schools in Cali. The Santo Domingo family separately committed approximately $32 million.
Why it matters: Colombia now faces a long reconstruction effort involving housing, healthcare, education and essential infrastructure while thousands of affected families require immediate assistance.
