The death toll from Colombia’s devastating earthquake has risen to 294, while hundreds of people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue, the country’s disaster management agency said on Saturday.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that, as of 6:30am local time, 3,935 people had been injured and 320 remained unaccounted for.
The latest figure represents an increase of six deaths from Friday’s toll.
Emergency crews remain focused on locating those still missing, while medical teams continue treating the injured and authorities assess the scale of destruction in affected communities.
The UNGRD is coordinating the national response and compiling information from local authorities and emergency agencies to determine the extent of casualties and infrastructure damage.
Personnel and resources have been deployed to affected areas, where local authorities are also working to provide relief and identify the most urgent needs of residents.
Officials have urged people in affected communities to follow instructions from emergency services and remain alert while rescue and damage-assessment operations are underway.
The casualty figures remain provisional and may change as rescuers reach additional areas and authorities verify reports from the ground.
The UNGRD said it would continue updating the number of deaths, injuries and missing people as further information becomes available.