Colombia magnitude 7.4 earthquake death toll rises to 111, president declares emergency

BOGOTA, Colombia — President Abelardo de la Espriella said the death toll from a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck northwestern Colombia has risen to at least 111. The president declared a nationwide state of emergency, noting that hundreds of buildings were damaged in the quake. Speaking in the capital, de la Espriella said the emergency declaration would accelerate financing for post-earthquake reconstruction. He announced he would travel to rural areas of the Chocó region, where the disaster's impact has been concentrated. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 on Sunday local time. The Colombian government said search-and-rescue operations and damage assessments are continuing, with no immediate timeline given for completion.