Shakira joined on Monday the wave of solidarity with the victims of the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the northwest of Colombia, leaving over a hundred dead, along with a wide trail of destruction.
The singer from Barranquilla took to her Instagram stories just a few hours after the earthquake to send an emotional message to those affected and to urge Colombians to stay united during one of the most challenging moments the country is facing.
"Dear Colombia, my heart is with everyone who felt this earthquake today and with the families who are going through moments of anguish. In times like these, we Colombians know how to come together and support one another," the artist wrote on her account.
"All my strength and love for my land. Let us embrace tightly and stay alert for instructions so we can help as soon as possible," he added.
Shakira's message arrived as emergency teams raced against time among collapsed buildings and destroyed homes to locate survivors and assist the injured.
The earthquake, with its epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó, occurred at 7:34 in the morning and was felt in large areas of Colombia, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Barranquilla, as well as in parts of Ecuador and Panama.
The Colombian Geological Service classified it as the most powerful earthquake recorded in the country in the last decade.
The dimension of the tragedy became more evident as the hours went by.
President Abelardo De La Espriella, who took office just three days before the disaster, reported in a press conference from the National Disaster Risk Management Unit that the toll had risen to 111 deceased and 87 injured.
The material damages are also significant: 1,575 homes were damaged and another 37 were destroyed, while 61 buildings collapsed, 18 health centers were affected, 52 educational institutions suffered damage, and six airports ceased commercial operations.
Pereira has emerged so far as one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquake.
The uncertainty regarding the final number of victims remains high. The United States Geological Survey issued an orange alert through its loss estimation system, which indicated that the most likely scenario estimates between 100 and 1,000 fatalities, with a 20% probability that the total could exceed a thousand.
Shakira was not the only figure in Colombian music to react publicly to the tragedy.
Maluma, J Balvin, Camilo, and Manuel Turizo also shared messages of solidarity on their social media and expressed their willingness to seek ways to help those affected.
At this moment, the artist has not announced a specific financial contribution for those affected in Colombia, although in her message she left open the possibility of getting involved in relief efforts by asking to stay tuned for instructions to collaborate "as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, the Colombian government declared a national disaster and activated a Unified Command Post to coordinate emergency operations.
The United States, Mexico, and Ecuador offered assistance. Ecuador deployed 47 rescuers accompanied by specialized dogs and technical equipment to support the search for people among the rubble.
The death toll continues to be updated as emergency teams gain access to the most affected areas of the Coffee Axis and the Cauca Valley, where collapsed structures and missing persons are still present.
Related videos:
Filed under: