BUENOS AIRES, August 12. /TASS/. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for his words of solidarity after the earthquake that struck the western part of the South American country.

"We gratefully accept your words addressed to those who lost their loved ones and to all Colombians who are now trying to recover from what happened. Our country is united: we are addressing the consequences of the emergency and providing support to every affected family. I thank you for standing with Colombia in this difficult time," de la Espriella wrote on social network X.

Thus, the head of state commented on a statement by the Russian embassy in Colombia, which said that Putin had expressed condolences to the president of Colombia over the devastating consequences of the earthquake. "Please accept my deep condolences over the numerous human casualties and the large-scale destruction caused by the earthquake in the western regions of Colombia. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the deceased, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those affected by this disaster," the embassy quoted the message as saying.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the city of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department on August 10, killing 234 people, according to BluRadio.