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Colombia: "scene of horror" as Pereira rescuers search rubble

Euronews World · 2026-08-13

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A powerful earthquake in Pereira, Colombia, has resulted in a death toll of 265, with nearly 500 individuals still missing as rescue efforts continue. • Why it matters: This earthquake is the strongest recorded in Colombia this century, causing widespread devastation and leaving thousands injured and in shock, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster response and recovery. • What to watch next: As rescue operations progress beyond the critical 72-hour window, attention will focus on the recovery efforts and the government's response to support affected families and rebuild the impacted areas.

No Comment Video. Colombia: "scene of horror" as Pereira rescuers search rubble Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 13/08/2026 - 9:31 GMT+2 Colombia's earthquake death toll rose to 265 in Pereira by 12 August 2026, with almost 500 still missing. Rescuers described scenes of horror as the critical 72-hour survival window closed. The quake, the strongest recorded in Colombia this century, has killed 265 people, injured more than 3,500 and left nearly 500 missing, according to local authorities. Since 10 August, rescue teams have repeatedly used sniffer dogs and called for silence at damaged sites as relatives wait nearby for news of loved ones ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT As the crucial first 72 hours passed, rescue workers and volunteers continued searching through the rubble in Pereira’s worst-hit areas. They described "scene of horror", with families watching as bodies were recovered after days trapped beneath the debris. The disaster has brought parts of the city to a standstill, leaving many residents in shock. Colombia Earthquake Search and rescue natural disaster volonteer Bogotá Top stories Now playing Next Colombia: "scene of horror" as Pereira rescuers search rubble Now playing Next Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse Now playing Next Rare eclipse plunges parts of Europe into darkness Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 13th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next 'I think we will keep it,' Trump says about control of Hormuz strait Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 12th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Quake leaves Colombian towns in ruins as Valle del Cauca counts dead Now playing Next Music brings cultures together In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Now playing Next Putin threatens retaliatory seizures of European ships Now playing Next How to protect your eyes while watching the solar eclipse Now playing Next Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness Now playing Next Solar eclipse: How will animals react when the sun goes dark? Now playing Next Tourist guides raise the alarm as Europe braces for another heatwave Now playing Next Solar eclipse plunges parts of Spain into total darkness in first such event in a century Now playing Next Grand Voyager | Exploring Switzerland and its wonders Now playing Next Extreme heat: Half of Europe's population exposed to temperatures exceeding 30C ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Colombia quake rescuers save woman after 36 hours trapped in rubble No Comment Moment Cali hospital collapses after powerful Colombia earthquake No Comment Europe scrambles for eclipse glasses as solar power output set to dip No Comment Bulgaria lights up its Black Sea coast with digital art festival Culture news ‘The Office’ star British actor Lucy Davis reveals incurable cancer diagnosis Europe News Germany beefs up its intelligence services as threat from 'foreign powers' rises Lifestyle Fragrant fortunes: Doha's Teeb Al Hazm plans London debut as Gulf perfumes gain wider appeal Europe News Mount Etna eruption: Catania airport closes and ash cloud reaches as far as Libya Tech News British driver sets speed record in hydrogen-powered car Health news E-scooters ‘public health challenge’ as number of injuries involving kids soared 15 times in UK Europe News Two killed in Kherson as Ukraine hits Russia's Black Sea naval base Europe News Europe readies for total solar eclipse- So, what will happen in the once-in-a-generation stellar spectacle? ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Putin threatens retaliatory seizures of European ships The Cube Fake videos and false allegations target candidates in French 2027 presidential election Europe News Morocco accuses Spain of assaulting migrants crossing into Ceuta and claims sovereignty over enclave Europe News Italy: Po River runs low amid prolonged heat and drought Colombia Colombia: Rescuers search for survivors after 7.6 magnitude earthquake kills 216 people Nature Anxious dogs and silent birds: What happens to animals during a total solar eclipse? Russia Russia frees former US Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in prison Europe News Paris tightens rules on electric scooters and other rideables ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Euronews World
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