At least 132 dead, 570 injured in Colombia earthquake

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 132 people dead and more than 570 injured in a preliminary assessment by the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales). The quake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, at a depth of 103 kilometers.

Pereira, the capital of Risaralda department and near the epicenter, recorded the highest death toll with 60 fatalities. The figures provided by Ascapitales focus on capital cities, meaning the total number of casualties and damage in surrounding towns and villages, which also suffered building collapses and damage to hospitals, airports, and public services, is likely higher.

Major cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Manizales, and Armenia are on high alert due to extensive damage. At least 86 buildings have collapsed across these cities, and six airports have suspended operations. In Pereira alone, besides the fatalities, 15 people are trapped in the Megacable public cable car system, two buildings collapsed, and rescue efforts are ongoing at 15 critical sites. The Matecaña International Airport in Pereira remains closed due to roof damage.

The earthquake's tremors were felt across a significant portion of central and western Colombia, causing widespread destruction. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) confirmed the magnitude at 7.4.