74 killed as 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastates western Colombia

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked western Colombia on Monday, claiming at least 74 lives and leaving dozens injured. The death toll is expected to climb as rescue efforts continue in the hardest-hit regions of Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Caldas, and Chocó. Fatalities have been confirmed in cities including Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó, and Buenaventura, with many structures collapsing or sustaining severe damage.

The quake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó Department. The intense shaking reportedly lasted nearly two minutes and was felt across much of Colombia, as well as in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. An aftershock of magnitude 5.0 followed about 45 minutes later. The earthquake's intermediate depth was associated with the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.

Authorities reported dozens of affected structures in Cali, with some individuals trapped under rubble. In Manizales, a cathedral tower collapsed, and smaller communities also suffered heavy damage to homes and buildings. Several airports experienced damage or temporary closures, disrupting flights in key locations like Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó.

Colombia's national disaster-management authorities have activated emergency response mechanisms. International aid has been offered as search-and-rescue teams work to reach remote and heavily damaged areas. The current death toll of 74 is preliminary, and officials warn of potential further aftershocks.