GOMEZ: COLOMBIA TO DECLARE ECONOMIC STATE OF EMERGENCY

BOGOTA, AUGUST 11 /SRNA/ – Colombia will declare an economic state of emergency as it faces the worst economic crisis in its history following a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, Colombian Finance Minister Miguel Gomez said.

Colombian Finance Minister Miguel Gomez said that various measures would be taken to mitigate the situation.

Addressing lawmakers, he said the measures include allocating funds to the National Disaster Risk Management Fund and taking out a $400 million loan from the World Bank.

According to the latest reports from local media, Colombian authorities have revised the death toll to at least 250, while more than 2,595 people have been injured.