Towers falling, hospitals evacuated and babies rescued: the most impactful images of the Colombia earthquake
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake has left at least 132 dead and more than 700 injured as rescue efforts continue in the most affected areas
BarcelonaThe magnitude 7.4 earthquake that Monday shook western Colombia has left at least 132 dead and over 700 injured, according to the latest toll. Images of the quake show the extent of the devastation, with buildings and infrastructure affected, hospitals evacuated, and emergency teams working to rescue people trapped under the rubble.
The collapse of the Manizales Cathedral tower
The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Manizales, has suffered severe damage as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that has shaken western Colombia. The images show part of the cathedral's structure affected by the seismic event, in one of the most shared videos on social networks. Built between 1928 and 1939, the cathedral is one of Manizales' most emblematic buildings. The city, along with Cali and Pereira, has been one of the most affected by the earthquake.
Affected and evacuated hospitals
Several health centers have suffered damage and some have had to be evacuated. In Cali, one of the most affected cities, hospitals have reached 100% of their capacity due to the massive arrival of injured people. Four medical centers have been completely evacuated, including the Valle University Hospital, which has suffered the partial collapse of one of its wings.
A mother and her baby, rescued alive from under the rubble
A woman and her baby have been rescued alive after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in Cali. Emergency teams managed to locate them and get them out of the building after the strong earthquake that shook several areas of Colombia. The rescue has become one of the most striking images of the search efforts among the remains of the affected buildings.
"I commend our country to the Lord Jesus Christ"
The Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared a national emergency after the earthquake and personally took over the coordination of the response. In his speech, the leader stated: "I commend our country to the Lord Jesus Christ so that he may help us overcome this tragedy." He also assured that he would be at the forefront of the emergency and that he would travel the country "without rest" to make the necessary decisions to protect the lives of citizens.
The unusual greeting of the Colombian president during his appearance for the earthquake
During the connection with the press conference, the official appeared smiling, laughing, and greeting several people before reporting on the emergency response. The images have generated criticism on social networks for the president's attitude at a time when the country was facing a large-scale emergency. The video, however, does not allow to establish by itself what motivated the official's gestures or smiles, beyond what is seen in the images.
The veterinarian who stayed with the dogs during the earthquake
Another viral video is that of a veterinarian who explains that the earthquake surprised her while she was working. Since she could not evacuate all the animals, she decided to stay with the dogs and reassure them while the earth tremor lasted. "I couldn't evacuate them all, so I decided to stay with them," she explains.
