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President Declares Emergency After 7.4 Quake Kills 281

8/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Abelardo De La Espriella declared a national emergency and mourning after a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 281.
The quake injured 4,000, left 379 missing, destroyed 13,000 homes, closed six airports and disrupted electricity and water.
Relief chief David Tamayo said the agency will keep searching for the missing despite low odds.
The World Bank provided $200 million, the United States $15.5 million and the Inter-American Development Bank $50 million for assessment and reconstruction.

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Story summary

President Abelardo De La Espriella declared a national emergency and mourning after a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 281.
The quake injured 4,000, left 379 missing, destroyed 13,000 homes, closed six airports and disrupted electricity and water.
Relief chief David Tamayo said the agency will keep searching for the missing despite low odds.
The World Bank provided $200 million, the United States $15.5 million and the Inter-American Development Bank $50 million for assessment and reconstruction.