Colombian cities report widespread damage after 7.4 magnitude earthquake

Cities across Colombia are grappling with significant damage following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Monday morning. The seismic event, centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, has left a trail of destruction, particularly in Quibdó, Cali, Pereira, and Manizales.

In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó and one of the closest cities to the epicenter, residents reported injuries and severe damage to buildings, with images circulating on social media showing partially or fully collapsed structures. The governor of Chocó has initiated an assessment of the damage.

Cali experienced damage to multiple buildings, including the near-total collapse of a motel structure. Pereira also reported structural damage to several buildings and a partial ceiling collapse at the Matecaña International Airport. In Manizales, facades were damaged, and a portion of the Metropolitan Cathedral's dome reportedly crumbled. The capital, Bogota, reported some cracks in buildings but no major structural damage initially.

The earthquake, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, was also felt in neighboring Panama, leading to evacuations of buildings and hospitals, and in Ecuador. The Colombian Geological Service initially reported a magnitude of 6.7 before revising it to 7.4. A definitive toll of victims and the full scope of damage are still being compiled by authorities.