Xinhua – Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella reported Monday from Bogotá that the death toll from the powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck much of the country earlier that morning had risen to 111. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the northwestern department of Chocó.
“As of 12:30 p.m. today, we had 111 deaths, 87 people injured, 1,575 homes damaged, 37 homes destroyed, 61 buildings collapsed, 18 healthcare facilities damaged, 52 educational facilities damaged, 17 community centers damaged, 18 roads damaged, and six airports with infrastructure damage and no commercial flight operations,” he detailed.
De la Espriella said authorities agreed to declare a national state of emergency and announced that he would personally provide an official update every two or three hours.
He also asked local media outlets to provide the central Unified Command Post with any information they gather in the field. He urged Colombians to remain calm and united in addressing the needs of hundreds of earthquake victims as the disaster causes severe damage in regions such as Valle del Cauca, the Coffee Region, and Chocó.
The president also thanked governments around the world for expressing their solidarity and said that, with their assistance and society’s commitment, Colombia would overcome the tragedy.
The president, who took office last Friday, said authorities established a main Unified Command Post (PMU) in Bogotá to coordinate the government’s response during search-and-rescue operations following the earthquake. Authorities will also establish command posts in Armenia, Quibdó, and Cali.
