Colombia Earthquake, Strongest This Century, Leaves Hundreds Dead

Colombia is grappling with the aftermath of its strongest earthquake this century, a magnitude 7.4 tremor that struck on Monday. The quake's epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the impoverished and often overlooked Chocó department, at a depth of 103 kilometers. The seismic event has caused widespread damage and a significant loss of life, with authorities still working to assess the full extent of the tragedy and search for survivors.

The impact has been most severe in the Valle del Cauca and Risaralda departments. Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, has reported 95 fatalities, with an additional 35 deaths in surrounding municipalities. Pereira, the capital of Risaralda, has recorded approximately 90 deaths. The city's Matecaña International Airport has suspended operations due to severe structural damage, leaving its reopening uncertain.

The earthquake's tremors were felt across the country, but the regions closest to the epicenter bore the brunt. Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, reported 14 deaths. President Abelardo de la Espriella visited Quibdó to promise subsidies for affected populations. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) has registered 103 aftershocks, six of which exceeded magnitude 3.0, and one surpassed magnitude 4.0.

This event has evoked memories of the devastating 1999 Armenia earthquake, which claimed 1,185 lives and caused extensive destruction. While casualty figures are still being compiled, with varying reports from regional authorities and the president, the SGC's data highlights the seismic intensity and the ongoing aftershocks, underscoring the scale of the disaster.