Kaja Kallas pledges EU support to Colombia after devastating earthquake

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has offered condolences to Colombia following a devastating earthquake in the country's west. Writing on social media platform X, Kallas said she had conveyed her deepest sympathies to Colombia's Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, adding that the EU grieves alongside the victims, their families, the injured and everyone affected by the tragedy.

Kallas said the EU has activated its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue and humanitarian operations. The bloc is also providing funding to back the response, including through the Red Cross. In addition, the EU has activated its crisis consular assistance mechanism to support EU citizens caught in the disaster area.

Powerful quake struck western Colombia

On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the strongest to hit the country in the past decade. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was located in the municipality of San Jose del Palmar, roughly 400 kilometers west of the capital, Bogota.

According to the latest figures, the earthquake has killed 132 people in Colombia. President Abelardo de la Espriella said around 1,600 buildings had been damaged, with at least 61 completely destroyed. A state of emergency has been declared, and rescuers are continuing to clear rubble, meaning the death toll could still rise.