Death Tolls Climb in Indonesia and Colombia Earthquakes
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's Flores Island killed at least 47 people on August 15, while a separate 7.4-magnitude quake in Colombia has claimed 294 lives with over 320 still missing.
On August 16, BBC reported on the progression of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia on August 15. The death toll has risen to at least 47 people, with 24 fatalities reported in Manggarai district, 17 in East Manggarai district, 3 in Sikka district, and at least 1 each in Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai districts. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors buried under collapsed buildings and rubble.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported on the situation in Colombia following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on August 10. Authorities have continued to recover bodies, bringing the death toll to 294 people. Although hopes of finding survivors have diminished as the critical 72-hour window has passed, officials are still searching for over 320 missing persons.
Reports also noted that Daniela Largo, 32, who survived 36 hours trapped under rubble, later died at a hospital. Juan Felipe Giraldo, 24, was found dead after rescue efforts to extract him from a collapsed hotel.
