Colombia Quake Kills at Least 132; 2,700 Reported Missing

Rescue workers and volunteers worked through the night and into early Tuesday to clear rubble in western Colombia, searching for survivors of the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the country.

At least 132 people had died and more than 570 were injured as of Monday afternoon, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, a group that coordinates the country's major cities. By Monday night, more than 2,700 people had been reported missing. Many families posted photographs and details about relatives online, hoping for word about their fate.

The magnitude 7.4 quake struck cities across Colombia's western region shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time, sending panicked residents into the streets. Its epicenter was near San Jose Del Palmar.

Around 1,600 buildings across the country were reported damaged or collapsed. In some places, rescuers and residents were seen pulling debris away by hand.

Pereira, one of the hardest-hit cities, lost power Monday evening as volunteers combed through collapsed buildings.

"We're without power. This seems honestly like a zombie city," resident Juan David Gaitan told the French news agency AFP.

At the Pereira airport, videos showed pieces of ceiling falling onto travelers who had taken shelter, with people screaming and running through rubble.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had been in office only three days, declared a state of emergency and promised a coordinated rescue effort. On Monday night he said he had mobilized "the entire military and police apparatus" to respond to the disaster.

Among the missing is Miguel Ángel Zamora, a 60-year-old farmer who lived in a rural area of El Cairo, not far from the epicenter. His niece, Dana Carolina Zamora, posted a photograph of him cradling his dog.

"We are afraid. We hope that is not the case, that he is all right and that it is only a communication failure. But we haven't heard anything from him," she said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a social media post Monday that the Trump administration was closely monitoring the response and "stands ready to support the people of Colombia."

South Florida organizations are among the U.S.-based humanitarian groups mobilizing aid. "There's a lot of damage, and we are waiting for information as to what the needs are. The first is rescue and recovery," said Fabio Andrade, a Weston city commissioner and a Colombian American.