BOGOTÁ (AP) — A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 100 people and devastating the impoverished Choco region. The quake, which hit on [date], caused widespread destruction, with many homes and infrastructure collapsing. Ismael Arias, a local resident, described the chaos as he fled to safety after the tremor.
Shakira, the Colombian pop star, has pledged to help rebuild at least 10 schools in the affected area. Her commitment comes amid ongoing efforts to assess the full scale of the disaster. Local authorities reported that the region, already struggling with poverty and neglect, is now facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Emergency services are working to reach remote areas where communication has been cut off. Rescue teams have found several bodies buried under rubble, while others remain missing. The government has announced plans to provide aid, but many residents fear the recovery will take years.
International aid organizations are also mobilizing resources, though the situation remains critical. The earthquake has highlighted the vulnerability of the region, which has long been overlooked in national development priorities.
