Bogota, August 16 (QNA) - Hopes of finding survivors from the earthquake that struck western Colombia five days ago have faded, as more bodies are recovered from collapsed buildings, while the death toll has reached 294, with 320 missing and nearly 4,000 injured.
Colombia's disaster management unit reported yesterday that more than two-thirds of the deaths were concentrated in the cities of Cali and Pereira, while rescue teams continued to search for the missing and recover bodies from collapsed buildings.
Cali fire captain Alberto Hernandez said there were only one location showing signs of life, while operations at other locations were focused on recovering bodies.
This disaster became the first major challenge facing newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella, who will oversee relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters Colombia had ever witnessed.
On August 10, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter in the municipality of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, causing buildings to collapse and widespread damage in several areas.
The earthquake was described as the strongest to hit the country in the 21st century, amid continuing aftershocks that hampered search and rescue efforts. (QNA)