Tragedy in Colombia: Death toll rises to 285 after the earthquake in Chocó
The national emergency in Colombia continues to unfold following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country last Monday. According to the most recent report issued by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the number of fatalities has risen to 285, while search efforts remain active to locate the 379 people who remain reported as missing.
The epicenter of the seismic movement was located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, an area that has felt the impact of this natural phenomenon most strongly in the Colombian Pacific region.
Devastating impact on infrastructure and the population
The official report details the complex landscape facing thousands of citizens. To date, the authorities have recorded the following impacts:
- 3,975 injured people receiving medical attention.
- 45,523 families affected by the loss of their belongings and homes.
- 12,828 homes reported as completely destroyed.
Technical assessment work continues on the ground to precisely determine the condition of the affected infrastructure, ensuring the safety of the impacted areas.
Regarding the damaged homes, the UNGRD reported that the figure was adjusted to 73,455 units. This change is due to a data cleansing process, as engineering teams and risk management experts are conducting thorough on-site assessments to verify the actual damage to each building in the affected areas.
