Colombian earthquake damages 40 cultural heritage sites

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has caused significant damage to 40 cultural heritage sites across seven departments. The Ministry of Culture announced Friday that the affected sites are located in Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó, Caldas, Quindío, Antioquia, and Cauca.

Of the damaged sites, 22 experienced "high affectation," with structural damage exceeding 55%. Another 13 sites sustained medium damage, and five suffered minor damage. Minister of Culture Paola Holguín stated that this information was gathered through the efforts of official sources, culture secretariats, governorates, territorial risk management entities, and technical support networks.

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This information has been gathered thanks to the efforts of official sources, culture secretariats, governorates, territorial risk management entities, technical support networks, and missions from the Ministry itself.

Among the affected heritage sites are the historic centers of Jardín, Jericó, Abejorral, and Santa Fe de Antioquia in Antioquia; Popayán in Cauca; Manizales, Aguadas, and Salamina in Caldas; and Cali, Buga, Cartago, and El Cerrito in Valle del Cauca. The report also includes infrastructure within Colombia's Coffee Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The earthquake, which had its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, has resulted in at least 288 deaths, 202 missing persons, and 4,018 injuries, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. Additionally, 102,262 people have been displaced, and 12,828 homes have been destroyed.

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The report also includes infrastructure associated with the Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Cultural Heritage, which covers areas in 51 municipalities and is now facing a crisis after the earthquake.