Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsWorldColombia hurries to find earthquake survivor as death toll climbsThe country's strongest earthquake in a century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, is one of its deadliest natural disasters in yearsAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.A couple stands amid the rubble of a collapsed house after an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia on Tuesday. Colombian volunteers and rescuers cleared rubble with their bare hands to search for survivors early after the country's strongest earthquake in a day earlier. Photo by JAIME SALDARRIAGA /AFP via Getty ImagesColombian volunteers cleared rubble by hand through the night in the hunt for survivors from an earthquake that killed at least 181 people and levelled more than a hundred homes and office buildings.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe quake struck several cities across Colombia’s coffee region and Pacific belt at 7:34 am (1234 GMT) Monday, toppling structures, swaying towers and tossing roof tiles to the ground.Pereira, a city of half a million people, was the hardest hit.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThroughout the night, residents navigated blacked-out streets with torches.Volunteers searched the ruins of a six-story building of shops and offices where two girls were believed to be trapped.“It’s so sad to see the whole city like this, knowing that there may still be people alive under there,” said Juana Marin, 25, who joined dozens of volunteers clearing rubble by hand.This was Colombia’s strongest earthquake in a century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and one of its deadliest natural disasters in years.In a joint statement, the mayors of major affected cities said at least 181 had been killed, and more than 1,300 people had been injured.Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella — just days into the job — declared a state of emergency and vowed a concerted rescue effort.‘Someone whistled back’In Cali, volunteers quickly went to work with picks, basic tools and their own hands to try to find survivors.Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry, stopping every few minutes to listen for signs of life from those trapped below.Andres Felipe Mejia was among those who joined a makeshift crew.“We are trying to get everyone out alive,” he told AFP.“One of the rescuers asked anyone trapped to whistle, and someone whistled back,” he said near a pancaked building.“They pulled out a man and a baby, but the wife is still in there.”“A lot of people have come, with supplies, with food, helping the firefighters, helping the people,” he said. A Colombian Red Cross member looks for survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia. Photo by JAIME SALDARRIAGA /AFP via Getty ImagesHospitals in five Colombian cities were put on red alert Monday and a nighttime curfew was declared in Cali, according to local authorities.“It felt like the end of the world — cars and motorcycles driving the wrong way, everyone searching for their loved ones,” said volunteer rescue worker Nelson Moreno.‘Overwhelming’ Colombian pop megastar Shakira led the calls for unity.“All my strength and love to my homeland. Let’s hold each other tight,” she said.At least six local airports suspended operations, the civil aeronautics agency said.Tattoo artist Andres Hernandez said he was worried about his family and friends, adding that he would stay awake because structures around him were “on the verge of collapsing.”There were scenes of destruction in several cities, with furniture and fabric sandwiched between concrete walls, floors tossed and resting on irregular angles, and cabling strewn across roads.In Manizales, the quake crumpled a tower of the city’s beloved neo-Gothic cathedral.In Quibdo, the capital of Colombia’s Choco department, local official Jenny Rivas said public services and communications had been “virtually shut down.”“People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes,” Quibdo resident and law student Wilmer Cuesta said. A woman looks at rescuers searching for survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia on Monday. Photo by JAIME SALDARRIAGA /AFP via Getty ImagesDentist Julian Pena said he “ran outside carrying nothing” after feeling strong tremors and found hundreds doing the same.“People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming,” he told AFP.“There are many buildings with gaps, with cracks. There are others that have completely collapsed.”Overnight searchesThe quake was felt across Colombia, including the capital Bogota, where crowds rushed out into the street in their pyjamas.At a depth of 110 kilometres (68 miles), the quake was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama.Experts at the US Geological Survey said the quake was likely caused by movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate. People look for survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia on Monday. Photo by JAIME SALDARRIAGA /AFP via Getty ImagesThe devastation comes less than two months after powerful twin quakes rattled neighbouring Venezuela, killing more than 6,300 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.Messages of support came in from countries across the region and the world.Pope Leo XIV is “deeply saddened” and “raises his prayers to the Lord for the prompt recovery of those affected by this tragedy,” the Vatican said Tuesday.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday the United States was “closely monitoring” the situation and “stands ready to support the people of Colombia.”The U.S. announced $15.5 million in emergency relief.European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had mobilized Copernicus, a satellite service, to help with rescue operations.Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and France also offered assistance.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.