In Colombia, the death toll from the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has risen to 312, with 4,611 people injured and 290 still reported missing.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said around 277 buildings have collapsed, while nearly 30,000 homes have been damaged. National and international search-and-rescue teams remain engaged in operations to locate people still trapped or missing beneath the rubble.

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella has declared an economic emergency, enabling the government to take exceptional measures to speed up relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said, more than 220 tonnes of humanitarian aid had arrived in the country, along with 144 international specialists assisting emergency response operations.

India has also extended support to Colombia, sending an initial tranche of 20 metric tonnes of relief supplies last week to aid recovery efforts. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed India’s solidarity with the people of Colombia during the crisis.

The earthquake struck western Colombia last week, with its epicentre located near San José del Palmar at a depth of approximately 96 kilometres.