FC Porto sent a message of "strength and courage" to the Colombian people on Monday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 111 people in the country, the Portuguese football club said.
In a post on social media, the reigning Portuguese champions said that at this moment of pain and difficulty, the club was sending a message of strength and courage to all the families and communities affected, as well as to everyone working on the ground to provide assistance.
The club, nicknamed the Dragons, added that its thoughts were with the Colombian people, who had been seriously affected by the earthquake that struck the country.
Death toll and damage
Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, gave the country's first official assessment of the disaster. He said that by 12:30 local time, which was 18:30 in Lisbon, authorities had counted 111 dead, 87 injured, 1,575 homes affected and 37 homes completely destroyed.
De la Espriella also reported 61 buildings left in ruins, along with damage to 18 health centers and 52 education centers.
Residents trapped under rubble
The earthquake left residents of several cities trapped under rubble, causing further injuries and forcing people to evacuate their homes. Its effects reached as far as the capital, Bogotá.
Other messages of solidarity
Benfica, FC Porto's Lisbon rival, also issued a statement of solidarity with the Colombian people following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.
Portugal's President of the Republic likewise expressed solidarity with the Colombian people after the earthquake.
Airports closed, crisis cabinet formed
Six airports were closed in Colombia following the earthquake. The country's new president set up a crisis cabinet in response to the disaster.
