Story perspectives

Emergency Declared After 7.4 Quake; US Gives $15.5 M

8/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency after a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 250.
Rescue crews freed a 32-year-old woman and a baby.
They rappelled to evacuate 16 people from Pereira's Megacable cable-car.
300 rescuers and a 47-member Ecuador SAR team were deployed.
The United States pledged $15.5 million in aid while Minister Miguel Gómez said the cabinet will seek an emergency to allow tax decrees without congressional approval.

History

Historical Context

The September 19 1985 Mexico City quake, magnitude 8.0, struck while 1985 recorded a surge of large tremors worldwide—including a 7.5 Chile quake in April and a 5.4 Michoacán shock in October. President Miguel de la Madrid deployed 30,000 troops, and U.S. President Ronald Reagan pledged $100 million; Red Cross teams treated over 300,000 victims.

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Story summary

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency after a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 250.
Rescue crews freed a 32-year-old woman and a baby.
They rappelled to evacuate 16 people from Pereira's Megacable cable-car.
300 rescuers and a 47-member Ecuador SAR team were deployed.
The United States pledged $15.5 million in aid while Minister Miguel Gómez said the cabinet will seek an emergency to allow tax decrees without congressional approval.

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