Colombia earthquake death toll climbs as rescue efforts continue

Emergency crews and military personnel in Colombia are maintaining extensive search and rescue operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. The national government has declared a state of emergency as responders sift through the rubble of collapsed structures to locate survivors and arrange temporary shelter for displaced residents.

Casualty reports continue to vary as damage assessments advance across the affected regions. Moldova1 reported that the death toll has climbed to at least 164, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă stated that at least 132 individuals have died and more than 500 were injured. Earlier dispatches from HotNews and Adevărul noted preliminary tallies of dozens dead from the tremor, which also shook parts of neighbouring Ecuador. Officials warn that the number of victims may rise further as recovery operations proceed.

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