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De La Espriella said at least 3,494 people were injured while 496 remain missing.
"Our efforts are focused on the disappeared," he added.
According to a damage assessment released Wednesday by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the quake caused extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure.
A total of 9,215 homes were destroyed, while 45,457 were damaged.
The government has declared a national disaster situation to strengthen the mobilization and coordination of institutional capacities to address the emergency.
It also announced that national flags will fly at half-mast on all public buildings and Colombian diplomatic missions abroad in memory of the victims
The quake occurred at 7.34 am local time (1234GMT) Monday, with the epicenter located approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) east of the town of San Jose del Palmar, according to data from the US Geological Survey. The agency reported that the quake originated at a depth of 107 kilometers (66.4 miles).
A magnitude 5.0 aftershock struck at 8.18 am (1318GMT), approximately 16 kilometers (9.94 miles) west of San Jose del Palmar.
The municipality, located in the Choco Department, has a population of around 4,800 and sits 1,288 meters (4,225 feet) above sea level.
