Colombia earthquake sparks concern among Philadelphia's Colombian community

Monday night in the big story on Action News is developing news out of South America. An urgent search tonight for survivors trapped in the rubble after a powerful earthquake rocked Colombia. Entire buildings shook back and forth as the 7.4 temblor rocked that country. A new video tonight to people digging through piles of rubble with their hands as they desperately search for anyone who may still be alive. Meanwhile, a number of buildings have been reduced to rubble and piles of bricks. Right now the death toll has topped 110. It's feared that number will continue to climb. Also tonight, the country's new president has declared a national disaster. Action News reporter Leland Pinder talked to a Colombian official about that disaster. He's live along the Ben Franklin Parkway tonight with more. Leland. And Rick, the new president there just sworn in a few days ago. That official tells me that transition making their response to this crisis all the more challenging as crews there continue to search for any survivors. In the beginning, it's just a fear. For members of Philadelphia's Colombian community, Monday's devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake triggered a desperate scramble to reach loved ones. Family members who were in the affected areas are fine, thank God. Hayel Khan, vice chair of Accion Colombia in Philadelphia, says her family is safe, but others are still wondering. Sandra Bruce owns Los Parceros Steakhouse in Pensacola. It was very close or in our city, Pereira. So we start to call the family, everybody, but we cannot get in touch. More than 100 people have been killed and communities across western Colombia have been rocked by the widespread damage. Numbers are expected to rise, especially near the epicenter in the department of Choco. That is one of the poorest areas in the country. Paula Moreno, the former minister of culture in Colombia, now leads a nonprofit from Bogota, Manos de Ciblas, helping those affected. She says downed communications, hospitals, and the airport is making aid difficult. She shared these videos from the capital city, Quito, which shows the destruction. It's a lot of devastation because, of course, the building, the houses, were not built for this kind of environmental incidents that we're facing. With more than 10,000 Colombians in the Philadelphia area, leaders from the diverse Hispanic community are coming together to plan and coordinate relief efforts. In the beginning, obviously, to help with the emergency, but eventually we're going to have to help the families to rebuild. Certainly a long road ahead, and right now the consulate general of Colombia in Newark is encouraging people to check out the official channels of the Colombian Red Cross if they want to support. They're also telling Colombian nationals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to monitor their communications as this situation develops. For now, we're live here on the parkway. Leland Pinder, Channel 6 Action News. Rick. All right, Leland, thank you for that report, and you can keep track of the latest rescue efforts in Colombia. Also, any updates on how you can help by using our free 6ABC app.