COLOMBIA: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others, while rescue teams raced to reach survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. President Abelardo De La Espriella declared a national state of emergency, ordering the full mobilisation of government resources as search-and-rescue operations continued across the affected region.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at a depth of 107 kilometres near San Jose del Palmar in the Pacific province of Chocó. The tremor was felt across much of the country, with severe structural damage reported in Risaralda, Cali, Pereira, and several other western cities. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as emergency crews continue clearing debris from collapsed structures.
Transport Disrupted as Authorities Assess Widespread Damage
Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended operations at multiple airports while inspectors assessed structural damage following the earthquake. Emergency services deployed heavy equipment to the worst-hit areas as residents joined rescue workers in searching for survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings.
Seismologists said the quake’s 7.4 magnitude generated exceptionally strong ground shaking despite its relatively deep focus, contributing to widespread destruction. The disaster is among Colombia’s deadliest earthquakes in recent years and comes only weeks after major earthquakes struck neighbouring Venezuela, raising fresh concerns over seismic risks across the region.