Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises; Israel Sends Aid Team

The death toll from the earthquake that struck Colombia this week has risen to 265, while 496 people remain missing. Hundreds were injured. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella provided the update today (Thursday) in a conversation with reporters.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck several cities and towns across the country, mainly along the Pacific Ocean, and dozens of buildings collapsed. Colombia’s president declared an "economic state of emergency."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced this morning that "an aid delegation will depart immediately for Colombia following the powerful earthquake that struck the country. The delegation will leave at the instruction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a request from Colombia’s president. The State of Israel shares in the grief of the families of those killed in the disaster and will provide full assistance." IDF officials noted that a small delegation will depart, including a rescue team and a Home Front Command building-assessment team.

In Colombia, it was reported that the local government approved the entry of search-and-rescue teams from Israel, the United States, El Salvador, and Ecuador. The announcement stated that "international assistance will be coordinated to support relief efforts and address the hardest-hit areas. Only teams certified to international standards will be accepted."