7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia, 111 killed

Colombian volunteers and rescuers sifted through rubble with bare hands and buckets Monday, hunting for survivors following a massive 7.4-magnitude quake that has claimed the lives of at least 111 people. 

The quake struck several cities across Colombia's picturesque coffee region and Pacific shortly after 7:30 am (1230 GMT), sending panicked residents onto the streets and damaging at least 1,500 buildings.

"People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes" Wilmer Cuesta, a law student in Quibdo told AFP, recounting violent shaking. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella -- just three days after being sworn into the job -- declared a state of emergency and vowed a concerted



rescue effort. 

In Cali, volunteers quickly went to work with picks, basic tools and their own hands to try to find survivors. Andres Felipe Mejia was among those who joined a make-shift crew.

"We are trying to get everyone out alive," he told AFP. "One of the rescuers asked anyone trapped to whistle, and someone whistled back." 

"They pulled out a man and a baby, but the wife is still in there," he said near a pancaked multistory building. Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry, stopping every few minutes to listen for signs of life from those trapped below. "A lot of people have come, with supplies, with food, helping the firefighters, helping the people," he said.