Emergency teams are searching for survivors in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake killed at least 164 people and caused widespread building collapses.

Rescue operations entered a second day on Tuesday in western Colombia as emergency workers, police, and soldiers searched for survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country's coffee-growing heartland early Monday, resulting in at least 164 deaths. Authorities expect the toll to rise as teams continue to clear debris in cities including Cali and Pereira.

Destruction in Cali and Pereira

Cali, a city of approximately 2.2 million people, reported at least 85 deaths. The damage included the collapse of several top floors at a local hospital, which forced hundreds of patients to be treated on the street. Hospital director Irne Torres Castro reported that some patients remained trapped following the collapse. In Pereira, the capital of Risaralda state, authorities confirmed 66 deaths, with entire residential blocks destroyed. Footage from the city's airport showed the structure swaying and ceiling sections falling during the event.

Government Response and Security

President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the deployment of 1,000 security personnel to Cali to address reports of looting. Both Cali and Pereira implemented curfews on Monday night. The President stated that 188 people remained missing, and emphasized the need for national solidarity in the wake of the disaster. An additional 13 deaths were reported in the rural province of Choco, which was located closest to the earthquake's epicenter.