Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that has claimed the lives of more than 200 people. Rescue crews are working urgently to find survivors trapped beneath the rubble in the wake of the powerful tremor that struck western Colombia.

The government announced that flags would be flown at half-staff at official buildings and Colombian embassies globally to honor the victims. This declaration comes as search and rescue operations intensify, with the critical first 72 hours for finding survivors in collapsed structures nearing their end.

As of Wednesday, official figures indicated 2,595 injured and 195 missing. However, civilian databases suggest the number of unaccounted for could be as high as 4,000. The earthquake, the strongest to hit the country in a century, flattened buildings and damaged infrastructure across western regions. Over 100 aftershocks have been recorded since Monday's initial quake.

This disaster presents a significant early challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just three days prior to the earthquake. His administration is now navigating its first major crisis following a contentious election.

Rescue efforts are concentrated in heavily impacted cities like Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. In Pereira and Cali, emergency teams are utilizing cranes, search dogs, and heavy machinery, while volunteers have formed human chains to clear debris manually. Entire neighborhoods in Cali have been reduced to rubble, with residents actively participating in the search for loved ones, listening for any signs of life.

The full extent of the destruction remains uncertain, particularly in remote rural areas, including the Choco region near the earthquake's epicenter. These areas, often accessible only by boat, jungle paths, or air, are among the poorest in the country and have been historically affected by armed group violence, complicating access for aid and rescue teams.

The earthquake has placed immense strain on Colombia's healthcare system. A section of the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali partially collapsed, necessitating the relocation of patients to a parking lot for treatment. This has further exacerbated the challenges faced by medical personnel already dealing with a surge in casualties.

Aid agencies emphasize the critical window for survival in collapsed structures, generally within the first 48 to 72 hours, although survival is possible for longer periods with access to water and food. The ongoing efforts underscore the race against time as authorities and citizens alike grapple with the immense scale of this natural disaster.