Colombia hit by magnitude 7.4 earthquake, buildings collapse and casualties reported

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake jolted Colombia on Sunday, causing widespread damage to buildings and leading to casualties. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Colombian Geological Survey reported the epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the Chocó region, approximately 400 kilometers west of the capital, Bogotá.

Nubia Córdoba, the governor of Chocó, confirmed on social media that there were injuries and significant damage to structures. Videos shared by local media depicted houses and smaller buildings collapsing. In Manizales, located about 300 kilometers west of Bogotá, a spire from the city's cathedral reportedly fell onto the main church.

The earthquake occurred shortly after 7 a.m. local time, shaking the capital and registering tremors in neighboring countries, including Ecuador and Venezuela. This seismic event follows a series of significant earthquakes in the region, including magnitude 7+ quakes in northern Venezuela in June that killed thousands and a magnitude 7.3 earthquake off Mexico's Pacific coast in July.

Rescue teams and residents were seen searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings in Cali in the aftermath of the quake. The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties are still being assessed.

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There were injuries and significant damage to buildings.