Casablanca – King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolences and compassion to Colombian President Abelardo Gabriel de la Espriella Otero following the deadly earthquake that struck several regions of Colombia. The King expressed Morocco’s full solidarity with Colombia and with the families of those killed in the disaster.
In his message, King Mohammed VI said he learned with deep emotion of the devastating earthquake and offered his sincere condolences to the Colombian president, the bereaved families and the Colombian people.
“On behalf of the Moroccan people and in my own name, I express, through you, to the bereaved families and the Colombian people, my deepest feelings of sympathy and compassion,” the King wrote.
The message came as Colombian rescuers continued a desperate search for survivors on Wednesday, more than 48 hours after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said Wednesday evening that at least 265 people had died and nearly 500 were still officially reported missing. More than 3,500 people have been injured, while over 25,800 families have been affected by the disaster, according to Colombian authorities.
Civilian-run databases have reported a much higher number of missing people, exceeding 4,100.
Rescue teams were working in the hardest-hit cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo, as the crucial 72-hour window for finding survivors approached.
Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said rescue crews were still finding signs of life beneath collapsed buildings and that every minute was vital.
The earthquake has also forced thousands of people into shelters, parks and tents as authorities deal with damaged homes and continuing aftershocks. Colombia’s geological service has recorded 130 aftershocks since the main quake.
International assistance has begun arriving. The United States has offered more than $15 million in aid, while Mexico has sent food and security personnel. El Salvador has also offered to send 100 tons of aid.
The Colombian government has declared three days of national mourning as rescue and relief operations continue.
