The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has risen to 265, while nearly 500 people remain missing, President Abelardo De La Espriella said on Wednesday.
The president said at least 3,494 people had been injured and 496 remained unaccounted for, as search-and-rescue operations continued across the affected regions.
“Our efforts are focused on the disappeared,” De La Espriella said.
A damage assessment released by Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) on Wednesday showed extensive destruction to homes and public infrastructure.
According to the assessment, 9,215 homes were destroyed and another 45,457 damaged, highlighting the enormous scale of the recovery and reconstruction effort facing the country.
The government has declared a national disaster, allowing authorities to strengthen the mobilisation and coordination of resources and institutions responding to the emergency.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors and recover victims, with the large number of missing people raising fears that the death toll could increase further.
The government has also ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast on public buildings across Colombia and at the country’s diplomatic missions abroad in memory of those killed.
Monday’s magnitude 7.4 earthquake caused widespread destruction across western Colombia, including areas where access to remote communities has complicated efforts to establish the full extent of the disaster.