President Lee Jae-myung expressed his condolences on August 11 for the victims of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia, resulting in significant loss of life.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, "I feel deep sorrow upon hearing the news of the severe damage caused by the earthquake in Chocó, northwestern Colombia."
He extended heartfelt condolences to the Colombian people who have lost family and neighbors due to this sudden disaster, saying, "I pray for the souls of all those who have perished."
President Lee emphasized the ongoing search and rescue efforts, expressing hope that even one more person can be safely rescued and returned to their family. He also conveyed his wishes for the Colombian people to quickly regain their peaceful daily lives, alongside the people of South Korea.
Earlier, on August 10 at 7:34 a.m. local time, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó, along the Pacific coast. Strong tremors were felt in major western cities, including the capital Bogotá, as well as Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, and Manizales.
As local authorities and foreign media continue to update their reports, the death toll has surpassed at least 132, with some reports indicating it could rise to 164.
As of now, there have been no confirmed casualties among South Korean nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We have not received any reports of casualties among our citizens and are continuously checking for any impact through our local embassy."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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