Colombia searches for its missing after a powerful earthquake

6abc Philadelphia
1.2K followers
8 Video Views·Aug 12, 2026
Search and rescue efforts were underway in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the region
Now to Columbia, where more than 200 people are confirmed dead, hundreds more
injured after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck that country. Crews now digging
through the rubble left behind a number of cities. They're searching for any
survivors. Officials warned the death toll may rise. ABC's Rena Roy has the
latest. It's a race against the clock in Columbia, where rescuers are
searching rubble for any signs of life. Entire apartment buildings splitting
open, collapsing, trapping people under debris after a 7.4 magnitude
earthquake rocked the country Monday. This six month old baby covered in dust
pulled alive from the rubble. This woman pulled through this hole in a
hospital that partially collapsed. She was tied to a rescuer who then
repelled down the wall to safety. Thousands of structures across multiple
cities destroyed this man walking through a neighborhood in the city of
Kali that was flattened, saying he's speechless over the loss. You can see
the moment the quake hit travelers at the airport, taking cover under a
counter part of the ceiling falling just feet away. Silvana Botero, who
lives in Chicago, was visiting family in Medellin when everything started
shaking like I just hear like some shaking and I'm like I hear my mom
screaming like, Oh, there's an earthquake. The injured lining the
streets, eight groups stressing the need for help. The epicenter that was
Chico, um, is very known for its poverty. So a lot of people are in need
right now. The president of Colombia has declared an emergency to expedite
funding for recovery. The U. S. Alone has promised more than $15 million
for emergency shelter, food and other aid in New York. Rena Roy for Channel
six Action News.
