Quake leaves Colombian towns in ruins as Valle del Cauca counts dead

BREAKING: Deadly earthquake leaves towns in ruins across western Colombia, with Zarzal, Roldanillo and El Cairo reporting widespread damage as Valle del Cauca counts its dead.

A deadly earthquake has left towns in ruins across western Colombia. Valle del Cauca is counting its dead this morning.

Zarzal, Roldanillo and El Cairo are all reporting widespread damage. These pictures show rescue workers and residents digging through collapsed concrete with their hands, searching for anyone still trapped underneath.

This is a region of small towns and older buildings, west of Cali, and the full picture is still coming in. What happens next sits with President Gustavo Petro and his government, who will face immediate pressure to mobilise national resources for the search and the rebuild.

So the question the country is asking. Does Colombia declare a national state of emergency for the quake zone within the next week?

This is Dave King, reporting for HIT.

Source Read the original reporting at euronews.com