Colombia earthquake death toll climbs as emergency crews search collapsed buildings

Emergency responders and military personnel across western Colombia are continuing search and rescue operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. The tremor, which struck at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers and was felt in neighboring Ecuador, prompted the national government to declare a state of emergency to expedite humanitarian relief and coordinate shelter for displaced residents.

Casualty figures continue to vary as teams clear debris from collapsed buildings. Moldova1 reports that the death toll has reached at least 164, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă cite at least 132 fatalities and more than 500 injuries. Earlier dispatches from Adevărul and HotNews documented lower numbers during initial assessments. Officials caution that the overall toll may rise further as trapped individuals remain unaccounted for.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.