Death toll from Colombia's 7.4-magnitude earthquake rises to 224

BOGOTA, Colombia — The death toll from a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia rose to 224 on Saturday, according to Colombian authorities, as rescue teams continued searching for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. The quake, recorded as the strongest to hit Colombia in decades, leveled several multi-story structures in the country's coffee-producing heartland. Buildings collapsed in cities including Pereira and Cali, while one of the towers of the historic cathedral in Manizales developed cracks. Officials said damage assessments were underway across the affected region. Earlier on Friday, Colombian President Abelardo de Espriella had reported 111 deaths and 87 injuries, a toll that has since climbed sharply as search operations progressed. Authorities said rescue and damage-assessment work was ongoing.