King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have issued a statement after a deadly earthquake in Colombia left thousands of people missing.
A 7.4 magnitude tremor hit the South American nation at 7.34am local time (12.34pm GMT) on Monday, with an epicentre in San José del Palmar, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The quake, the country’s deadliest this century, has left at least 224 people dead and a further 3,000 missing.
King Felipe and his wife Queen Letizia sent their condolences on social media after the King visited Cali, located about 200km from the epicentre, just last week.
“We wish to convey to the Colombian people our deepest solidarity and our full support during these very difficult times,” the statement read, translated into English.
“We wholeheartedly stand with those who have lost a loved one and with all the people affected by the earthquake.
“Our thoughts are also with the missing persons, among them 164 Spaniards who have still not been located, in the hope that all of them may be found as soon as possible.”
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia offered a similar message of support to Venezuela, which suffered 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in late June, killing more than 6,300 and leaving 73,356 requiring hospital treatment.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have issued a statement after a deadly earthquake in Colombia has left thousands of people missing
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The King visited Cali, Colombia, on Friday, August 7, as President Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in for what has undoubtedly been a testing opening few days in the role.
Felipe’s appearance at the right-wing former lawyer’s inauguration is part of his “institutional role”, the Royal Household confirmed, adding that he has attended every presidential inauguration in Colombia since 1998.
Following the disaster, Mr De La Espriella announced he had personally taken charge of the emergency response.
A 7.4 magnitude tremor hit Colombia at 7.34am local time (12.34pm GMT) on Monday, with an epicentre in San José del Palmar, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said
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President Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in on Friday, August 7, in Cali
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“I have ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and assist those affected,” he wrote on X.
“I will also be in Pereira in person to stand with those affected and monitor the government’s response.
“You are not alone. The Government is here and taking action.”
Cali is Colombia’s third most populous city – estimated at 2.3 million – and is said to be one of the worst-affected areas, given its dense population.
Search efforts have been underway for more than 24 hours, with thousands remaining missing
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President De La Espriella confirmed on Monday night that more than 5,000 homes had been destroyed in Cali, while 40 buildings had collapsed
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Mr De La Espriella confirmed on Monday night that more than 5,000 homes had been destroyed in the region, while 40 buildings had collapsed.
Cali’s mayor, Alejandro Eder, stated that 37 people had been rescued from fallen buildings, adding: “We will get through this together.”
Firefighters also said they had pulled a 35-year-old man from the rubble at around 4am on Tuesday morning – almost 24 hours after the tremor hit.
The fire department wrote on X that “every minute counts”.