The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on 10 August. The first confirmed balance said at least 132 victims and hundreds injured. The Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs reported that there are no signals about injured Polish citizens, and about 40 people are registered in the Odysseus system.
Tragic Balance in Western Colombia
Colombia faces the effects of a strong earthquake, which struck the western part of the country on August 10. Reported WP News and the Agency's first balance sheet spoke of over a 100 fatalities. In the following hours, rescue operations were ongoing, so the data could change with the services arriving at the destroyed towns.
According to an ultrasound message published by ReliefWeb, the shock had a magnitude of 7.4 and occurred on 10 August at 12:34 UTC, or 7:34 local time. The epicentre was located in the San José del Palmar area of the Chocó department. This is simply a hard area, and the demolition was besides covered by the larger cities of western Colombia.
At specified times, the first work of the state is to save people and to inform families quickly. There's no place for a sensation. There are victims, wounded, destroyed homes, and hundreds of questions from loved ones who are waiting for confirmed messages.
MFA checks the situation of Poles
As she stated PAP, quoting MFA spokesperson Maciej Wwiór, Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs has no information about Polish citizens injured in the earthquake in Colombia. The Ombudsman besides stated that about 40 people were registered in the Odysseus system.
This is an crucial message for families in Poland. Odysseus is not a bureaucratic addition to travel, but a tool that in crisis allows to find more rapidly where citizens are and how they can be contacted. A serious state does not leave its people alone, even erstwhile tragedy occurs thousands of miles from the country.
In the morning we noted that Colombia counts victims after a night crash. Now the most crucial are the actions of rescuers, checking missing persons lists, and patient transmission of confirmed information, without rumors and without building tension on another people's suffering.
A disaster that recalls the work of the state
The earthquake in Colombia is simply a tragedy for the families of victims and a large test for the institutions there. For Poland it is besides a reminder of the applicable dimension of citizens' safety. In a planet of frequent travel, work abroad and violent natural crises, the state must have efficient consular procedures, clear message and contact with citizens.
Not everything is predictable. However, a culture of work can be built: evidence travel, track MFA messages, do not underestimate local warnings and have a plan to contact your family. Freedom of travel does not release a citizen or a state from reason.
There is simply a prayer present for the dead, solidarity with the wounded and respect for the lifeguards working under force of time. In the case of Poles abroad, it remains the work of the state: talk clearly, check facts and respond without delay.
Sources: WP News, PAP, ReliefWeb/USGS, The Guardian.
Source: WP News
The text was prepared utilizing artificial intelligence tools. The rules for applying AI in the editorial board are described on the Editorial Standards website.
