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After the earthquake, relief and rescue operations continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in western Colombia. Teams of police, army, emergency workers and local people are searching for people trapped under the debris. At many places, rescue workers used machines for digging, while at some places people were seen removing debris with their hands. Officials fear that the death toll may increase further.

10 big updates to earthquake in Colombia

1. A powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck the coffee growing area of ​​Colombia on Monday morning. It is being said to be the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in decades.

2. At least 224 people have lost their lives so far in the earthquake. Apart from this, more than 1,200 people have been injured. Information about about 3,000 people missing has also come to light.

3. The maximum impact of the earthquake was seen in many cities of western Colombia. In Pereira and Kali, multi-storey buildings collapsed and many houses were badly damaged.

4. At least 85 people have been reported dead in Kali city, which has a population of about 22 lakh. Here several upper floors of a hospital collapsed. These also included parts used for the treatment of children.

5. Some patients of the hospital got trapped inside the building. Hospital director Irne Torres Castro said about 600 other patients had to be treated on a road filled with debris.

6. Rescue workers are continuously searching for people in the debris of collapsed buildings and houses. At many places, digging machines are being used, while at some places rescue workers are removing debris by hand.

7. Carmen Yasmin Garcia, 43, a resident of Kali, is also involved in the rescue operation. He told that his team pulled out 7 people from a collapsed building on Monday afternoon. However, 4 people and a dog were still trapped inside.

8. After reports of looting in Kali came to light, a decision was taken to increase security arrangements. President Abelardo de la Espriella said 1,000 security personnel would be sent to the city by morning. Curfew was also imposed in Kali and Pereira on Monday night.

9. A large number of buildings and houses have been damaged by the earthquake. Many people are still missing. In such a situation, officials fear that the death toll may increase further. The rescue operation continued on Tuesday also.

10. This earthquake is being compared to the devastating earthquake that occurred in the same coffee growing area in 1999. More than 1,000 people died in that earthquake. It has also been compared to the devastating earthquakes in neighboring Venezuela in June, which killed more than 6,300 people.