Colombia quake leaves more than 3,000 missing as U.S. provides $15.5 million in disaster relief, officials say

Rescue teams continued searching through collapsed structures after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, with more than 3,000 people reported missing as of Tuesday, according to Fox News. Footage shared by the outlet showed rescuers combing through rubble, working around damaged buildings as authorities tried to locate victims and assess the scale of injuries and destruction.

The missing-person count, which exceeded 3,000, underscored how quickly the situation became a public-safety and humanitarian crisis. The search effort, as depicted in the reporting, centered on locating people trapped or displaced by structural failures, a challenge that typically grows more difficult as time passes and emergency services reach capacity.

Alongside the ongoing field search, the Trump administration announced $15.5 million in disaster relief for Colombia. The administration’s relief package was described as part of the U.S. response to the earthquake, with the funds intended to support immediate emergency operations and recovery work.

The announced U.S. contribution reflects how Washington typically coordinates international disaster support, aiming to provide resources that can help local and national authorities respond more effectively. In the immediate aftermath of major earthquakes, assistance is often used to strengthen rescue capacity, supply critical materials for shelters and medical needs, and support logistics for field operations.

While officials continue efforts to account for the missing, Colombia’s broader recovery timeline will depend on how many casualties are confirmed and the condition of infrastructure in affected areas. Emergency teams will also need to prioritize safety assessments for buildings and transportation routes to reduce secondary risks such as additional collapses or hazards from damaged utilities.

As the search continues, the operational next steps for both Colombia and international partners will likely focus on maintaining locate-and-recover efforts for families awaiting information, distributing relief supplies where needs are greatest, and continuing damage and needs assessments to guide longer-term rebuilding decisions.