Colombia earthquake death toll climbs to 281

Active rescue operations continued in western Colombia on Thursday following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that has killed 281 people.

The updated death toll came Thursday from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella who said 3,971 people have been injured and the number of those still missing stands at 379.

In the most recent damage assessment presented earlier Thursday, David Santiago Tamayo, director-general of Colombia's Disaster Risk Management Unit, said that more than 12,000 homes were destroyed and more than 74,000 residences were damaged by the earthquake that struck Monday in western Colombia.

Tamayo said more than 170 buildings collapsed in the quake.

In addition to homes and other structures destroyed or damaged, Espriella said on Wednesday that a pedestrian bridge collapsed and 20 road bridges were affected by the massive tremor. More than 200 roads were also damaged by the earthquake, he added, as well as five airports and 44 aqueducts.