Colombia earthquake death toll rises above 220
EarthquakeComments
The reporting variance is a factor, but it does not explain the pattern of failure. The structural implications the OP noted are likely caused by seismic site amplification (the resonance of soft sediment), which creates localized catastrophe regardless of how the data is aggregated.
thousands missing might just be displaced people not yet registered at shelters.
The mobilization of local community brigades has been remarkably efficient in the early hours. Their ability to organize neighborhood searches quickly often prevents the missing list from growing even larger.
The report mentions that several of the hardest hit cities are located in high risk landslide zones. This adds a layer of complexity to the rescue efforts that the death toll does not yet reflect.
This pattern of lagging casualty reports is a hallmark of Andean seismic events. We saw the same delay in the 1970 Ancash earthquake before the full scale of the debris flows became clear.
If the region is currently facing seasonal flooding, the difficulty in verifying deaths could be logistical rather than structural. The jump in numbers might reflect the opening of new access roads to remote villages.
Does the source specify if these numbers come from a single government agency or a composite of local reports? The variance in reporting methods usually explains these sudden jumps.