Earthquake Floods Central China, Puts Beijing on Alert for Heavy Rain

A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the strongest to hit Colombia in a decade, struck the country's western region Tuesday, leaving at least 132 people dead and more than 570 injured. The powerful tremor, which occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time, sent panicked residents fleeing into the streets and caused significant damage to buildings.

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We're without power. This seems honestly like a zombie city.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn into office just three days prior, declared a state of emergency and pledged a comprehensive rescue operation. The death toll, initially reported as 111, was later revised upwards. Cities like Pereira were plunged into darkness due to power outages as rescue efforts commenced, with volunteers searching for survivors under collapsed structures.

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It was a movie scene, because I saw the poles, the cables, everything moving. I'm worried about my family, my friends.

Residents described scenes of chaos and destruction. Juan David Gaitan, a resident of Pereira, likened the power-less city to a "zombie city." Tattoo artist Andres Hernandez recounted the terrifying experience of the quake, describing the ground shaking and structures "on the verge of collapsing." He expressed deep worry for his family and friends.

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People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes.

The earthquake's impact was felt across Colombia, including the capital Bogota, and even in neighboring Ecuador and Panama. Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey attributed the quake to movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate. Hospitals in five Colombian cities were placed on high alert, and a curfew was imposed in Cali as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic event.

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People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming. There are many buildings with gaps, with cracks. There are others that have completely collapsed.