Spain continues search efforts after 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reported this Tuesday that, following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia, efforts continue to locate 164 Spanish citizens with whom contact has not yet been established. Fortunately, as of now, authorities have not reported any deaths or injuries of Spanish nationality.
From the city of Ceuta, the minister detailed that both the Embassy and the Consulate in Colombian territory are fully operational and mobilized to provide immediate assistance to the Spanish community affected by this natural disaster.
Emergency protocol and consular assistance
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the 164 citizens who have not yet been registered to contact consular services as soon as possible. To facilitate this process, direct communication channels have been enabled:
- Consular emergency lines in Bogotá.
- Crisis unit active at the ministerial headquarters in Spain.
- Information available through the official web portals of the Embassy and the Consulate.
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation is at the full disposal of the Colombian people to collaborate in whatever is necessary, maintaining the commitment of international solidarity in the face of tragedies of this magnitude.
José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
Critical situation in the Colombian territory
The earthquake, recorded this Monday, has left a preliminary toll of at least 132 people dead, more than 570 injured, and an undetermined number of missing persons. The impact of the seismic movement has been severe in various regions of the country, causing the collapse of multiple structures, the saturation of hospital centers —such as the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Cali, which had to relocate its neonatal area due to structural damage— and the temporary suspension of operations at several airports.
Local authorities continue with intense search and rescue efforts, while the international community closely monitors the evolution of this emergency in Colombia.
